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.