Hornets ( Hymenoptera : Vespinae ) of Malaysia

The general biology and distribution of the seyen species of hornets (Vespa) and three species of nocturnal hornets (Provespa) found in Malaysia are given. A key ~nd plate should aid the rapid identification of all species occurring in Malaysia. INTRODUCTION The hornets (Vespa and Provespa) are a group of well known, conspicuous insects which are found predominantly in Eastern Asia. All hornets possess painful stings (only female hornets sting) which can be fatal to people especially to the young or old. Despite their bright warning colouration and large size, hornets still remain a little studied group. Malaysia has a rich hornet fauna with seven of the 23 species of Vespa and all three species of Provespa. Despite this, there is very little information readily available to either the amateur or professional entomologist about the hornets of tropical regions. Since the works of Bequaert (1936,1939) and van der Vetch (1957) there has been little published on the Vespinae of the Malaysian region. It is the aim of this publication to present up-to-date information for each of the Malaysian species along with an easy guide to identify all the species. It is hoped this will tempt workers into this exciting area of research. It must be stressed that all material collected should be fully labelled with the date and collection locality; other information such as altitude and habitat type are always useful. Malaysia is referred to as Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak [Borneo]). Brunei and Kalimantan (Indonesia) are also covered under Borneo. Records from Singapore are also included due to its proximity to Malaysia. The general classification of the family Vespidae is given in Fig. 1. In Malaysia the following species of Vespinae have been recorded: Provespa anomala P. barthelemyi P. nocturna Vespa affinis V. analis V. bellicosa V. mocsaryana V. multimaculata V. tropica V. velutina IOakdene, Cotehill, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK. All correspondence to be sent to: National Bee Unit, ADAS Starcross, Staplake Mount, Starcorss, Devon, EX6 BPE, UK. (Accepted for publication 21 Febrttary 1995)