N.C. Cooperative Extension, Union County Center is encouraging residents and beekeepers to be aware of the invasive yellow-legged hornet following confirmation by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) of the first established population in North Carolina.

The detection occurred after a Union County homeowner reported suspicious hornet activity around a hummingbird feeder. Additional yellow-legged hornets were subsequently identified near the Union and Mecklenburg county line. NCDA&CS, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), is actively conducting surveys, trapping, and response efforts to locate and eradicate the nest.

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is an invasive species that poses a significant threat to honeybees and other pollinators. Unlike native wasps and hornets, yellow-legged hornets are known for exhibiting "hawking" behavior, hovering near beehives to capture returning honeybees. Heavy predation can weaken colonies, reduce honey production, and negatively impact crop pollination.

Residents, especially beekeepers, are encouraged to watch for:

• Hornets hovering near beehives and catching honeybees in flight.
• Large aerial nests that are reddish-brown or muddy in color, rather than the gray paper nests commonly built by native bald-faced hornets.
• Increased hornet activity around hummingbird feeders or flowering plants.

If you believe you have seen a yellow-legged hornet or suspect you have found a nest:

• Do not approach or disturb the nest.
• Report the sighting to NCDA&CS using the online reporting form.
• Visit the NCDA&CS Yellow-Legged Hornet Resource Center for identification tips, monitoring guidance, and instructions for building and using approved traps.

NCDA&CS has deployed more than 200 survey traps in the area surrounding the initial Union County detection as part of its ongoing efforts to locate and eliminate the invasive population before it spreads further.

N.C. Cooperative Extension, Union County Center will continue sharing research-based updates and educational resources as information becomes available. Residents with general questions about invasive pests or pollinator health in Union County are encouraged to contact the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Union County Center.

For additional information about the state's response, read the original NCDA&CS press release.

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