Photo by Justine Palmer
August 23, 2023
www.gfb.org
Vol. 5 No. 16
GEORGIANS ASKED TO WATCH FOR YELLOW-LEGGED HORNETS The yellow-legged hornet, which attacks and destroys honeybees, has flown into Georgia. In early August, a Savannah beekeeper reported an unusual hornet he found on his property to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA). The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the University of Georgia’s (UGA) identification of this insect as a yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina), the GDA announced Aug. 15. This is the first detection of a live yellow-legged hornet (YLH) on U.S. soil. GDA is asking the public to report possible sightings of the non-native species. Visit www.gfb.ag/reportyellowleggedhornet for the latest GDA reports or to report a potential sighting. Georgians with additional questions or concerns are encouraged to email yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov. YLHs can be dangerous, and everyone is encouraged to use caution in the event of a sighting. If you see a suspicious hornet, try to take a photo to send to the GDA but keep your distance. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper warns that the YLH could potentially threaten honey production, native pollinators and Georgia crops that depend on pollination, such as blueberries, fruits and vegetables, if it is allowed to establish a population in the state. “Georgians play an important role in helping identify unwanted, non-native pests. I want to thank the beekeeper who reported his sighting to us, as well as our partners at the University of Georgia and USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service for working swiftly to confirm its identity,” Harper said. “Our experienced team of professionals will continue to assess the situation and are working directly with USDA APHIS and UGA to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet in Georgia.” The YLH constructs egg-shaped paper nests above ground, often in trees. These nests can become large, housing an average of 6,000 workers. The YLH is native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia and is established in most of Europe, parts of the Middle East, and parts of Asia where it isn’t native. The GDA Pest Program is collaborating with USDA and academic experts to develop a plan to trap, track, and eradicate the yellow-legged hornet in Georgia. APHIS and GDA will set out traps -continued on next page