Invasive hornet species found in North Carolina -
Steady2 outlets reported this in 2 reports over 2 days
Wed, 5 August 2026Mon, 10 August 2026
What it is about
VespaCarolina Department Of AgricultureConsumer ServicesUnion County, North Carolina, United StatesNorth Carolina, United StatesCharles MckellerCarolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University, North Carolina, United StatesAmerica
Who published it, and when
original reportfirst to report
smokymountainnews.com
wwaytv3.com
5 Aug, 14:13over 5 days10 Aug, 22:34
How it spread - 2 original reports
Wed, 5 August 2026
1 report- smokymountainnews.com14:13first to report
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed the first established state presence of the invasive yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in Matthews. Yellow-Legged Hornet adults were reported to NCDA&CS by a Union County homeowner who noticed suspicious hornet activity at her hummingbird feeder. A follow-up survey found additional adults near the Union-Mecklenburg county line. Survey, trapping and response efforts by NCDA&CS and USDA-APHIS-PPQ are ongoing.
Mon, 10 August 2026
1 report- wwaytv3.com22:34
As North Carolina gets warmer, experts say changing conditions could create more opportunities for invasive species to survive, reproduce and spread into new areas.