For certain occasions, hornets can eat tree bark. It is not a question of a special diet or the collection of materials for nest building. Read here why hornets nibble on tree bark. The majestic wasps like to eat these trees.
Why do hornets eat tree bark?
Hornets eat tree bark in order to feed on the escapingplant sapWith their pliers, hornets prefer to ring the soft, juicy bark of lilacs until thecarbohydrate-containing sugar solutioncomes out and can be eaten. This process isnot harmful to the tree
Is it harmful to the tree if hornets eat the bark?
It isnot harmfulto a tree if hornets eat its bark. The insects use their pincers to mainly gnaw off the bark of individual branches that are no more than a thumb thick. In technical jargon, this process is calledringeln. The wounds are far too small to cause serious damage to the gnawed tree. The bark grows back within a short time.
Unlike hornets, deer, hares and other wild animals ring a tree trunk on a large scale. So much tree bark is eaten away that the tree can die.
Do hornets feed on tree bark?
Adult hornets eat a vegetarian diet ofplant sap that emerges from wounds and cracks in tree bark. Beneath the bark in the bast are the pathways for aqueous nutrient solutions that flow into the roots. Hornets target this carbohydrate-containing sugar solution when they eat tree bark.
Theenergy-rich tree sap is the aviation fuel for hornets to hunt for flies, caterpillars, beetles and other types of wasps. The hunters conscientiously chew the protein-rich prey into meatballs, transport it to the hornet's nest and feed it to the nursery.
Which trees do hornets eat the bark from?
If there are no sweet juices or fallen fruit nearby, hornets look for trees with sugary plant sap. These include these tree species:
- Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
- Oak (Quercus)
- Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
- Willow (Salix)
- occasionally fruit trees
Tip
Hornets are not aggressive
Did you know that hornets are a particularly peaceful species of wasp? In fact, real wasps (Vespula vulgaris) are significantly more aggressive than hornets (Vespa crabro). However, the peacefulness comes to an end if you get too close to a hornet's nest in the tree trunk. Then the gentle giants transform into fearless protectors of their offspring and stab them relentlessly. From a respectful distance you can observe hornets without fear.
