A Visual Guide to Northern Giant Hornets and Similar Insects

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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 confirmed in the Pacific Northwest.

Extension still receives numerous calls and emails about the topic, so we’ve compiled more details about the Northern giant hornet.
A chart illustrating side-by-side comparisons between the Northern giant hornet and other similar insects.You can also try our Interactive Guide
Be careful when assuming that the large wasp you found in North Carolina is a “murder hornet.”
A visual chart identifying the "Big Three" wasps, including the Northern giant hornet - sometimes referred to as the "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.

Picture of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina)

Yellow-Legged Hornet, Vespa velutina


Please note: The following insects are native or long established in North Carolina and many surrounding states. Proper identification is crucial, as many of these species are beneficial to our environment and it’s often not necessary to kill these insects.

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Eastern Cicada Killer, Sphecius speciosus

Eastern Cicada Killer, Sphecius speciosus

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

European Hornet, Vepa Crabro

European Hornet, Vespa crabro

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Southern Yellowjacket, Vespula Squamosa

Southern Yellowjacket, Vespula squamosa

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Great Golden Digger Wasp, Sphex ichneumoneous

Great Golden Digger Wasp, Sphex ichneumoneus

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa virginica

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Paper Wasp, Polisities sp.

Paper Wasp, Polistes sp.

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Bald Faced Hornet, Dolichovespula maculata

Bald Faced Hornet, Dolichovespula maculata

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Hover Fly, Milesia virginiens

Hover Fly, Milesia virginiensis

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Piegon Horntail, Tremex columba

Pigeon Horntail, Tremex columba

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Bee Robber Fly, Mallophora sp.

Bee Robber Fly, Mallophora sp.

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Giant Robber Fly, Promachus rufipes

Giant Robber Fly, Promachus rufipes

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Elm Sawfly, Cimbex americana

Elm Sawfly (female), Cimbex americana

Asian Giant Hornet (or Murder Hornet), Vespa mandarinia

Northern Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Elm Sawfly (male), Cimbex americana

Elm Sawfly (male), Cimbex americana