Lesser banded hornet

Description:

Black body with orange ring, the wings are orange with black through it, It is very large about your thumb size and is considered here very deadly and one is known to kill a man and a few a Buffalo. The hive is 3 basket ball sizes and I've seen them up to a Volkswagen bug size..The sound is very loud and its very aggressive. I don't know the name of this species except some call it Mati Lebah meaning Death bee. no one goes near it as they fear it, but some odd reason it was my lucky day they posed quite well without a sting attached..

Habitat:

Like upper hill slopes but makes hives usually on tree limbs about 10 feet from ground level. They are seen in all temperate weather here except the high mountain tops where its cold at night. I am told it attacks other species of wasps and bees nests.

Notes:

It is highly recommended to stay far back from its hive and not to swat at the hornet if he is near you..I was very lucky to get great photos of these critters without any harm.