The golden-ringed hornet is the largest species of hornet, highly venomous, and can be raised artificially.

The golden-ringed hornet is the largest species in the family Vespidae, commonly known among the public as the tiger-head wasp or giant hornet. The adult has an orange-yellow head, a dark brown thorax, and an abdomen marked with broad alternating bands of orange-yellow and dark brown, which from a distance look like a ring of gold, hence its name. It is mainly distributed in East Asia and Southeast Asia, and can be seen in forest land and shrubbery across many mountainous areas of China. Its nest is often built in underground soil cavities, tree hollows, or dense bushes.

This hornet is fierce by nature and a highly capable predator, often feeding on honeybees and other insects. A single adult golden-ringed hornet can bite large numbers of honeybees to death in a short time, making it a considerable threat to apiaries. At the same time, it also preys on many agricultural and forestry pests, playing the role of a predator in the natural ecosystem. Late summer to early autumn each year is when the colony reaches its largest numbers, and at this time they are highly active and at their most aggressive.

The venom of the golden-ringed hornet is among the more potent of the hornets. After a sting, the wound becomes noticeably red, swollen, and painful, and people with an allergic constitution may even suffer anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. When outdoors, do not approach their nests on your own, and if chased by a swarm, do not panic and swat at them; instead, protect your head and neck and move away as quickly as possible. After being stung, treat the wound promptly, and if symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing appear, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Despite the danger, the value of the golden-ringed hornet should not be overlooked. Its pupae have a relatively high protein content and are a specialty food in some regions, while the adults and nests are often used to make hornet wine, which folk tradition holds to have certain medicinal value. In recent years, artificial hornet farming has gradually emerged in some mountainous areas, generating income by introducing species to build nests and harvesting pupae in a controlled manner, but the farming techniques are quite demanding, protective measures must be taken during handling, and it is best done under the guidance of experienced farmers.