Asian Giant Hornet vs Japanese giant hornet
How does the Asian Giant Hornet compare to the Japanese giant hornet? They are both members of the Vespidae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.


Side-by-side comparison
- Scientific name
- Vespa mandarinia
- Vespa mandarinia japonica
- Classification
- Invertebrate
- Invertebrate
- Family
- Vespidae
- Vespidae
- Habitat
- Forests and low mountain woodlands
- Temperate forests and woodlands
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Carnivore
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Least Concern
- Lifespan
- 1-2 years (queen), several weeks to months (workers)
- 12–24 weeks (workers), up to 1 year (queens)
- Weight
- 2.0–3.5 g
- 2.5–3.5 grams
Asian Giant Hornet vs Japanese giant hornet: who would win?

Asian Giant Hornet
2.0–3.5 g

Japanese giant hornet
2.5–3.5 grams
Too close to call speculative confidence
Asian Giant Hornet and Japanese giant hornet are closely matched on both size (2.0–3.5 g vs 2.5–3.5 grams) and diet, so the outcome would come down to circumstance. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
Similarities
- Both are invertebrates.
- Both belong to the Vespidae family.
- Both have a carnivore diet.
- Both are listed as Least Concern.
Differences
- Habitat: Forests and low mountain woodlands vs Temperate forests and woodlands.
- Weight: 2.0–3.5 g vs 2.5–3.5 grams.
Asian Giant Hornet vs Japanese giant hornet: FAQ
Who would win in a fight, a Asian Giant Hornet or a Japanese giant hornet?
Too close to call. Asian Giant Hornet and Japanese giant hornet are closely matched on both size (2.0–3.5 g vs 2.5–3.5 grams) and diet, so the outcome would come down to circumstance. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
What is the difference between a Asian Giant Hornet and a Japanese giant hornet?
Asian Giant Hornet and Japanese giant hornet differ in several ways — habitat: forests and low mountain woodlands vs temperate forests and woodlands. weight: 2.0–3.5 g vs 2.5–3.5 grams.
Do Asian Giant Hornet and Japanese giant hornet live in the same habitat?
No — Asian Giant Hornet lives in forests and low mountain woodlands, while Japanese giant hornet is found in temperate forests and woodlands.
What do Asian Giant Hornet and Japanese giant hornet eat?
Both Asian Giant Hornet and Japanese giant hornet have a carnivore diet.
Which is more endangered, the Asian Giant Hornet or the Japanese giant hornet?
Asian Giant Hornet is listed as Least Concern, while Japanese giant hornet is listed as Least Concern.
How big are Asian Giant Hornet and Japanese giant hornet?
Asian Giant Hornet weighs around 2.0–3.5 g, while Japanese giant hornet weighs around 2.5–3.5 grams.

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Asian Giant Hornet

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Japanese giant hornet

