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Helpston's wildlife

Hornet

The hornet is the largest British wasp. Across the UK numbers of hornets have declined markedly in recent years, perhaps as a result of the loss of old trees in which it nests.

Around Helpston, however, hornets remain common. They frequently use the nest boxes in Royce Wood, building their complicated nest structures out of a paste that they make from rotten wood which the Queen chews and mixes with saliva. A distinctive feature of a hornet's nest is that it is continually guarded. You can usually seen a couple of hornet's standing guarded at the main entrance - particularly noticeable when a nest box is being used.

Hornets are also often seen around Woodcroft, along the road to Marholm, reflecting the number of old oaks in that area. Nests have also been found in Castor Hanglands. Hornets also often appear in moth traps, reflecting their nocturnal as well as diurnal hunting routine. They feed mainly on flies, but also take bees and dragonflies.