Invasive hornets threatening honeybees discovered near Charlotte.

On August 11, 2026, yellow-legged hornets, an invasive species threatening honeybee colonies, were reported in North Carolina for the first time. A homeowner in Union County observed unusual hornet activity near her hummingbird feeder.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed the sighting on July 27, near the Union and Mecklenburg County line. The hornets, known as Vespa velutina, originate from Southeast Asia and exhibit aggressive behavior towards honeybees, although they are not particularly hostile to humans. The department labeled them a “serious threat” to local beekeeping due to their predatory behavior, known as “hawking,” where they wait at hive entrances to capture bees.