Greater Banded Hornet (Vespa tropica)

The Greater Banded Hornet lives in South and Southeast Asia. It features distinctive yellow and black bands and can grow to an inch. 

Likewise, they make their homes in complex, large nests within the hollows of trees or underground cavities, which can house several thousand colonies. 

The hornets consume other wasps, beetles, caterpillars, nectar, and fruit. They are also essential pollinators within their ecosystems.

Notably, the queen is the sole egg-layer at the heart of each colony, surrounded by her daughters who serve as workers. 

The workers use hunting methods such as "hawk predation," capturing and killing other flying insects in mid-air. Meanwhile, they also participate in "aerial jousting" to determine dominance.