Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Hornet fight ?

Posted by Volkmar on 01-10-2021 18:56
#1

Today I found these two hornets on a forest path, it looked as if they were fighting, but I'm not shure, it looked as if they were biting themselves very fast, but on the other side it nearly looked like cuddling, they did not sting the other one. Who can tell me what they really did ?
Best regards, Volkmar
Data: Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, D-59519 Arnsberg, 10.01.2021, forest path

Edited by Volkmar on 01-10-2021 19:01

Posted by eklans on 01-10-2021 19:15
#2

Hi Volkmar, it seems to be a ritualised fight (like the males of Clusiidae - therefore druid-flies - do): http://www.hornis...tkampf.htm
But some of the hornet-fights also end deadly!

Posted by Volkmar on 01-10-2021 20:21
#3

Hi Eric,
thank you very much for your answer 👍, that is very interesting, I have already read the informations about the Kommentkampf.
Best regards
Volkmar