Album: Lesser banded hornets (Vespa affinis) in Singapore
This is the most common hornet locally. It frequents grassy areas near the beach or in forested areas, foraging for grasshoppers, flies and other small insects. Not particularly aggressive but they can be very dangerous if their nest is disturbed. They nest high in trees and so the danger of disturbing them isn't very great. Nests in tropical regions can get very big, with thousands or even tens of thousands inside. The subspecies found in Singapore (probably Vespa affinis indosinensis) is brightly coloured, with a totally black head and thorax and a brilliant orange band on the abdomen.  

Changed: Oct 29, 2005.
Contains: 7 items.

Blue banded bee (Amegilla sp.)

Blue banded bee (Amegilla sp.)

Ampullex compressa, a solitary wasp which preys on cockroaches

Sphecid wasps, probably Bembix or related genera. They nest on the beach and prey on flies.

Sphecid wasps, probably Bembix or related genera. They nest on the beach and prey on flies.

Sphecid wasps, probably Bembix or related genera. They nest on the beach and prey on flies.

Delta sp. (Potter wasp). These photos aren't good; the actual colour is chocolate brown.

Delta sp. (Potter wasp). These photos aren't good; the actual colour is chocolate brown.

Another Delta sp. potter wasp found in Singapore

Another Delta sp. potter wasp found in Singapore

Another Delta sp. potter wasp found in Singapore

Giant honeybee (Apis dorsata). Found numerous dead specimens on the floor. This happens at certain times of the year

Honeybees drinking water. This is at a golf club, where golfers wash their shoes and equipment! Weather was 35 degrees celsius on this day.

Honeybees drinking water. This is at a golf club, where golfers wash their shoes and equipment! Weather was 35 degrees celsius on this day.

Honeybees drinking water. This is at a golf club, where golfers wash their shoes and equipment! Weather was 35 degrees celsius on this day.

Leafcutter bee (Megachilidae, possibly Megachile)

Another leafcutter bee (Megachilidae, possibly Megachile)

Nest of mud dauber wasp (Sphecidae, possibly Sceliphron)

Nest of mud dauber wasp (Sphecidae, possibly Sceliphron)