The following are some insects that might be confused for the Northern giant hornet — also referred to in the media as the “murder hornet” — which is not in North Carolina at this time.

As of this writing, they have only been seen in the Pacific Northwest. However, we still get a lot of calls and emails, and thought we should point out a few key details about the Northern giant hornet.

You can also try our Interactive GuideBe careful when assuming that the large wasp you found in North Carolina is a “murder hornet”:
In August 2023, another invasive hornet was found in the state of Georgia. There is no evidence that the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is in North Carolina, but it has been added to this page for reference.

Please note: The remaining insects are native or long established in North Carolina and many surrounding states. Proper identification is crucial, as it is often not necessary to kill these insects.