[1] There are many color variants across the range of the species, originally considered subspecies but no longer recognized; while there is a history of recognizing subspecies within many of the Vespa hornets, the most recent taxonomic revision of the genus treats all subspecific names in the genus Vespa as synonyms, effectively relegating them to no more than informal names for regional color forms.

[2] In Hong Kong and South China the wasps are mainly black, with the first two abdominal segments being a deep yellow, forming a conspicuous band.

In Southeast Asian regions such as Singapore they are fully black, without reddish brown markings, and the abdominal band is a brilliant orange.

It is found in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines (Palawan), Singapore and Malaysia.

It has a versatile diet of both carbohydrates such as tree sap, nectar, fruits and larvae saliva and proteinaceous food such as carrion, paper wasps (Polistinae) and bees (Apidae)).

[8][9] Vespa affinis has gained notoriety in Indonesia for its aggressive behavior and powerful sting, which has a potential for causing a life-threatening anaphylaxis.