European hornets have distinct looks, depending on their role in the central hive. Workers — the most common type seen flying around outside — grow to be about an inch to an inch-and-a-half long.

True European hornets are woodland insects. They build nests inside hollow trees, usually about 6 feet above ground or higher, but sometimes in barns, sheds, or walls of a house or attic.

While hornets can be helpful, they also pose dangers and can be a serious threat to honey bees. If you have a lot of bees ...

European hornet workers can be up to an inch long with queens a bit larger. The head is red and yellow, thorax red and brown, abdomen brown towards the front and mostly yellow at the rear end.

“European hornets are not common in Georgia, but they're not terribly rare either. They are an introduced species, but they've been here over 200 years,” Hinkle said.

The hornets can often be mistaken for other insects like yellow jackets, however, European hornets are larger by comparison and primarily yellow, black and red.

Stumped by a question, Campbell Vaughn was surprised to learn that European hornets were behind some attacks on dogwood bark.

“People often confuse the European hornet for Asian giant hornets because they are similar in size and color. However, they are a completely different species and have been in the US since 1840 ...