Alright, so I’ve been meaning to jot down some of my observations about the types of hornets I’ve run into here in North Carolina. It’s not like I’m an expert or anything, just sharing what I’ve seen and figured out over time, you know, from actually being out and about in my yard and the woods around here.
My First Encounters
It all started a few years back. I kept seeing these rather large, buzzing insects, and honestly, they made me a bit jumpy at first. My first thought was, “Whoa, that’s a big hornet!” But then I started noticing that not all of them looked the same. So, I began to pay a bit more attention, trying to see what was what, from a safe distance, of course. I didn’t want to get on their bad side!
Figuring Out the Differences
I started really looking at their colors and sizes. Some were one way, others totally different. It took a while, just casually observing when I was doing yard work or just sitting on the porch.
Here’s what I’ve managed to distinguish over the seasons:
- The European Hornet: This one, I think, is what most people picture when they hear “hornet” around here. It’s pretty hefty. What I noticed is its body is more brownish than, say, a yellow jacket, and it has these yellow stripes on its abdomen. I’ve seen them active later in the evening too, sometimes bumping into my porch light. They seem to like wooded areas, which we have plenty of.
- The Eastern Cicada Killer: Okay, now this fella is a real giant! The first time I saw one, I was seriously impressed by its size. It’s got that wasp shape, but it’s massive. They have a darker body, often with some yellowish markings, but they look different from the European Hornet if you see them side-by-side. I usually see these guys buzzing low around the lawn, especially during the summer when the cicadas are out. I’ve even seen them carrying a cicada, which is quite a sight! So, even though they look scary, they seem more interested in cicadas than me.
- The Bald-faced Hornet: Now, I know some folks say this isn’t a “true” hornet, but more of a large yellowjacket. But around here, people often call them hornets, and they sure act like it! These are pretty easy to spot because they’re mostly black with very distinct white or pale yellow markings, especially on their face – hence the name, I guess. The thing I really remember about them is their nests. They build those big, grey, papery-looking nests, often hanging from a tree branch or sometimes even on the side of a building. You definitely want to give those nests a wide berth.
Just My Two Cents
So yeah, that’s pretty much what I’ve gathered from my own eyes. It’s mostly about looking at the overall color – is it more brown, or black and white? And the size, some are just plain bigger than others. Where you see them and what they’re doing can also give you clues, like the Cicada Killers hunting cicadas.
It’s been kind of interesting to learn to tell them apart. Still respect them, still keep my distance, but at least now I have a better idea of who’s who in the buzzing world of my North Carolina backyard. Hope this little rundown of my experiences helps someone else out there who’s curious!
