According to typical size ranges, which social wasp is generally the largest encountered, sometimes exceeding an inch in length?
Answer
The Hornet
Body size varies significantly among wasps, ranging from minute parasitic forms to very large species. Among the commonly encountered social wasps in temperate zones, the European hornet typically represents the larger end of the spectrum. Hornets are generally described as the largest of these groups, often reaching dimensions between 0.75 to 1.5 inches in length. Visually, they are often distinguished by a color palette that includes reddish-brown tones mixed in with their black and yellow banding, setting them apart from the typically smaller, more vividly patterned yellowjackets, which fall into a small to medium size range, and the medium-sized paper wasps.
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