Nest

Henderson County Couple ​Solves ​Mystery of Massive​ Nest with Social Media Help

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – A Henderson County ​couple turned to social media to identify the builders of ⁤an unusually large and intricately formed nest discovered on their property, ultimately ⁤learning it was constructed by European hornets.

Cheryl Stippich shared photos of the sizable nest online, sparking a⁤ flurry of⁤ guesses from the public. Initial reactions ranged from serious suggestions of paper wasps, mud daubers, and white-faced ⁣hornets ⁢to more humorous responses, including one commenter suggesting the nest “needs to be added to⁣ the mortgage.” Othre lighthearted ideas included “wack it and video” and references to the films Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Cocoon.⁢

“Some of ‍the responses were hilarious,” Stippich told‌ WLOS.

The nest, described as ‍tan and beige with a textured ‌surface resembling rock formations,​ was attached to the couple’s shed ceiling and partially to the outside wall. Stippich noted the nest⁤ differed from typical wasp or hornet nests​ she’d previously encountered, which are usually smooth-sided and gray.

After her husband initially ⁣mistook the structure for an owl, Stippich photographed it and carefully investigated. Her husband sprayed the nest, revealing a single⁣ European hornet, allowing for positive identification based on its markings.

“Neither of us had ever seen​ anything like ⁣this before,” Stippich said.

The interior of the nest revealed multiple tiers of cell formations, though it proved delicate and easily⁢ disassembled. Stippich plans to donate the nest to a friend for use as a show-and-tell item in her grandchildren’s classroom.

According to the North carolina State Extension website, European hornets are an‍ invasive species.