About Vespa soror Buysson, 1905
Vespa soror, commonly called the southern giant hornet, is a species of hornet. Its native range includes India, Northern Thailand, Laos, Northern Vietnam, and parts of South China — specifically Hong Kong, Guangdong, Fujian, and Hainan Island.
V. soror ranks among the largest hornet species, although it is smaller than the Asian giant hornet (V. mandarinia). Worker hornets of this species have body lengths between 26 and 35 mm, while queen hornets have body lengths ranging from 39 to 46 mm. The nests of V. soror are typically built underground, in forested areas.
This species is an aggressive predator. It has been observed attacking the nests of honeybees, other wasps, and smaller hornet species. It also preys on mantids, dragonflies, butterflies, grasshoppers, and small vertebrates such as geckos.
