Giant red and yellow hornets spotted in NYC – Are they dangerous?

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) — You may have seen inch-long red and yellow hornets buzzing around Staten Island and New York City, but experts say not to fret.

These frightening-looking insects are commonly known as the European hornet, an insect native to Asia and Europe, first detected in America in the 1840s, according to Penn State Extension .

Nick Rozak, the CEO of Green Stinger Beekeeping Services and President of the Staten Island Chapter of the New York Bee Club, says he is not surprised to hear about a European hornet sighting.

“It’s considered non-aggressive. It’s very large and it looks scary. It’s not really that common – but it’s been in the tri-state area for over 200 years,” said Rozak.

The hornets hunt insects, including grasshoppers, various flies, yellowjackets, and sometimes honey bees, according to Penn State Extension. In the autumn, they can be attracted to fallen fruits like apples and pears.

Despite their intimidating appearance, the sting is only about as painful as a honey bee sting, according to Penn State Extension. However, European hornets can sting multiple times.

Rozak says there is another species that people could mistake for the European hornet: the cicada killer wasp.

Rozak says the wasps are also “non-aggressive” and typically save their sting for cicadas. That being said, Rozak shared some valuable and potentially life-saving advice: “If you see a nest in your house, then you should call an exterminator to remove it because they will get aggressive if they are defending their nest.”

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here .

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