The sun is shining and the bees are buzzing – but not the Asian Giant Hornets. As the weather gets warmer and insects like bees and wasps become more active, NCDA&CS has seen an uptick in calls from people who believe they have seen an Asian Giant Hornet, colloquially known as the “murder hornet,” near … Read more
Just as the year is ending, Whitney Swink’s phone has finally quieted down. In a year full of unprecedented international challenges, it might sound presumptuous to say that Swink, NCDA&CS State Regulatory Entomologist, has had a particularly wild year. From Gypsy Moth to Fire Ants and hornets with scary-sounding names, however, 2020 had plenty of … Read more
With the widespread news about discovery in Washington state of a few Asian giant hornets also notoriously dubbed “murder hornets,” it comes as no shock that many North Carolinians are wary of large wasps. However, if you see a cicada killer wasp, have no fear! Cicada killer wasps are not interested in harming you, so … Read more
