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.
Beekeepers are asked to keep watch for hornets around hives exhibiting “hawking-like behavior.” This behavior is a distinctive characteristic to the yellow-legged hornet, as they prey on bees. Their hives are another distinctive feature, as they can grow much larger than other hornet nests and have a reddish, muddy color to them compared to gray colored nests of bald-faced hornets, for example. At this time in the season, hives would likely be the size of a volleyball, although they can grow in size to fill a pickup truck bed. Because yellow-legged hornets attack honeybees, they can cause reduced foraging and colony failure.
NCDA&CS is working to locate and remove the yellow-legged hornet nest to prevent further spread. More than 200 survey traps have been set in the area surrounding the Union County home where the adults were spotted to target the nest and find additional populations. Homeowners and beekeepers throughout North Carolina are encouraged to visit ncagr.gov/ylh for instructions to build, report and monitor traps on their property.