What’s worse than a murder hornet? New insect species is a danger to bees & the GA economy

Georgia is now home to the murder hornet’s first cousin. The yellow-legged hornet is a new, predatory species that is raising alarm among state officials and agricultural experts.

Originally native to Southeast Asia, the yellow-legged hornet is officially living among us. Sometimes known by its scientific name, Vespa velutina, it is an aggressive insect that poses a significant threat to our friends the honeybees and other critical pollinators in Georgia’s agriculture.

This danger is particularly worrisome since agriculture is the state’s leading economic driver the Georgia Department of Agriculture is working closely with USDA, APHIS and UGA to trap, track and eradicate these pests and are asking residents to report sightings of the hornet.

Why Are Yellow-Legged Hornets a Problem?

According to the University of Georgia, this insect has the potential to be dangerously impactful to some of Georgia’s most important industries.

• Georgia’s beekeeping industry: The hornet is a voracious predator of honey bees, and even if it fails to kill a colony, it can intimidate bees and cause the colony to decline.

• Crop pollination: Honeybees are essential for pollinating crops and produced $3.2 million worth of honey in Georgia in 2017 alone.

• Threat to Agriculture: The hornets jeopardize the productivity of Georgia’s farms, which rely on these insects for crop yields.

What should Georgia residents know?

The yellow-legged hornet’s nests can be found hanging in trees and on structures like barns, garages and sheds, so you could likely encounter them in your yard.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has some advice if you do:

• Do not approach: Maintain a safe distance as they may sting if threatened. Fatalities are rare but have been recorded in other countries.

• Report sightings: Submit photos and location details through the GDA’s online form, use the QR code in the image, or email the GDA at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.

• Beware of nests: Early-stage nests are small, brownish structures often found under eaves or in trees during spring.

What is the state of Georgia doing about it?

The GDA has intensified efforts to track and eradicate the species:

• Over 1,000 traps were deployed in high-risk areas like Savannah, where nests have been found

• Utilization of advanced tracking technology

• Additional staff has been hired to locate nests more effectively

• Public reporting is encouraged. Residents spotting a suspected yellow-legged hornet or nest can submit photos and details via email

For the sake of the bees, be on the lookout for this scary new species. Have you seen a yellow-legged hornet? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.

Sundi Rose

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

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