“Amazing, close-up film that reveals the intricate details of a Hornets' nest and the astonishing attention to detail by these feared insects”

Sunset in the beautiful Jordan Valley: after a barbecue a group of hikers settles down for the night. In the morning, they are put to flight by a swarm of angrily buzzing Hornets, who have been feeding on the remains of their food from the previous evening, cutting it up to carry back to their nest.

But what lies behind this apparently organised aggression? In this remarkable film, we investigate the amazing family life of the Hornet, and explore the reasons for its fearsome weaponry.

This documentary is a beautiful illustration of the life cycle of these captivating insects, from hatching to starting colonies of their own. We see how the queen’s only task is to lay eggs, with workers building the cells, feeding the larvae and looking after the pupae. This is very much a matriarchal society – the nest does not contain any males.

The large Hornets hunt living prey, with Honey Bees their favourite source of food. They also feed on carrion, ripping flesh off a carcass with ease, carrying it back to the nest. The workers themselves are vegetarians and devoted family creatures. Their main predators are Bee Eaters and the stealthy Green Mantis.

This DVD is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated 24-page hardback reference book. Watch the close-up wildlife film and at the same time read the book to learn about habitats, diet, life cycle and more. The book is packed with intriguing facts, illustrations, photography and a 'Test your knowledge' quiz.

Narrated by Sean Pertwee
Filmed by Moshe Alpert
Produced by Afikim Productions and HIT Wildlife (2001)
As seen on the National Geographic Channel.

 To watch a pre-view of this DVD please visit YouTube or watch it at the bottom of this page