N.C. officials warn of yellow-legged hornet as new invasive insect

North Carolina officials are sounding the alarm about a new invasive pest. 

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Plant Industry Division is asking residents to keep an eye out for early-stage nests of the yellow-legged hornet. The species is no more harmful to humans than other hornets but is known to feed on both wild and managed bees, including honeybees.

Don Hopkins, an apiary inspector with the state agriculture department, says that could be a problem.

"A lot of the beneficial insects that do the pollination work that is necessary for our growers could be impacted by this insect," says Hopkins. 

The department advises residents to look for early-stage nests on the sides of houses, barns, sheds and other structures with eaves. The smallish nests are paper bag brown, compared to the gray nests people may be familiar with.

The yellow-legged hornet itself is generally larger than other stinging insects.

While it hasn’t yet been found in North Carolina, its presence has been confirmed in Georgia and South Carolina. Anyone who suspects they've found a nest is asked to report their findings, with photos, to the state agriculture website.