Hornet

Hornets are insects, and the largest eusocial wasps. Some species can reach up to 5.5 cm (2.2 in) in length. The true hornets make up the genus Vespa and are distinguished from other vespines by the width of the vertex (part of the head behind the eyes), which is proportionally larger in Vespa and by the anteriorly rounded gasters (the section of the abdomen behind the wasp waist). The best known species is the European hornet (Vespa crabro), about 2–3.5 cm in length, widely distributed throughout Europe, Russia, North America and Northeast Asia. Most species make exposed nests in trees and shrubs, but some (like Vespa orientalis) build their nests underground or in other cavities.

Life cycle

In Vespa crabro, the nest is founded in spring by a fertilized female known as the queen. She generally selects sheltered places like dark hollow tree trunks. She first builds a series of cells (up to 50) out of chewed tree bark. The cells are arranged in horizontal layers named combs, each cell being vertical and closed at the top. An egg is then laid in each cell. After 5–8 days, the egg hatches, and in the next two weeks, the larva undergoes its five stages. During this time, the queen feeds it a protein-rich diet of insects. Then, the larva spins a silk cap over the cell's opening and, during the next two weeks, transforms into an adult, a process called metamorphosis. The adult then eats its way through the silk cap. This first generation of workers, invariably females, will now gradually undertake all the tasks formerly carried out by the queen (foraging, nest building, taking care of the brood, etc.) with one exception: egg-laying, which remains exclusive to the queen.

Hornet (comics)

The Hornet is an identity used by three fictional characters in the Marvel Universe, one villain, and two heroes. Both the first and third Hornets have suffered from physical disabilities.

Scotty McDowell

Fictional character biography

Scotty McDowell was a wheelchair-using criminologist, who assisted Spider-Woman on her cases. He was kidnapped by the mad scientist Karl Malus, who injected Scotty with a formula composed of human and insect DNA, as well as several kinds of medicine. Spider-Woman rescued Scotty, who seemed fine.

Scotty began to suffer from nightmares in which he killed Spider-Woman. He awoke to discover that he had great strength and insect-like wings that allowed him to fly (but still unable to walk). He then received a costume in the mail (sent by Malus), and when he put it on, had a personality shift, becoming aggressive and chauvinistic. He flew around as the Hornet, and started out as a hero, saving people, and working with Spider-Woman. He even learned that he could throw bursts of bio-electricity.

Hornet (clipper)

Hornet was an 1851 extreme clipper in the San Francisco trade, famous for its race with Flying Cloud.

Race with Flying Cloud

Hornet had a two-day head start on Flying Cloud in their famous 1853 race. She left New York for San Francisco, April 26, 1853, with Flying Cloud departing two days later.

After the roughly 15,000 mile voyage around Cape Horn, both ships arrived in San Francisco harbor 106 days later at almost the same time, with Hornet sailing in just 45 minutes ahead of Flying Cloud.

Voyages

In 1866, Hornet took a cargo of candles, case oil, and oil in barrels from New York to San Francisco under Captain Josiah A. Mitchell.

Loss of the ship

Hornet caught fire and sank on May 3, 1866. The crew left the ship in three boats. The captain's boat reached Hawaii on June 15, 1866, but the two other boats disappeared.

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