A Visual Guide to Northern Giant Hornets and Similar Insects

(Updated: Aug. 29, 2023, 9:24 a.m.)

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
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