BALD HEAD ISLAND, N.C. — A popular trail along the North Carolina coast has been closed due to an uptick in invasive yellow wasp attacks.
The north side of the Bald Head Woods Reserve Trail is blocked at both ends. The Charlotte Observer reports multiple people have been stung.
While officials haven’t determined which species of wasp is behind the attacks, state officials reported in August that Asian yellow-legged hornets had been found in Union and Guilford counties.
The species is known to build nests the size of a basketball and prey on honey bees. Officials say the nest is a public safety threat and plan to destroy it.
The south side of the trail remains accessible to visitors.
Researchers also found the invasive hornets in York County in 2025.
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
