Invasive Hornet Found in Georgia, Threatening Bees and Agriculture

 

The yellow-legged hornet, native to Southeast Asia, has invaded other parts of Asia and Europe and feeds on insects, including honeybees. Guillaume Souvant / AFP via Getty Images

Georgia officials have identified a yellow-legged hornet in the state, marking the first time this invasive species has been found alive and in the wild in the U.S.

Although not a direct threat to humans, experts warn that the hornet could harm the local environment and economy by preying on native pollinators like honeybees.

The hornet, native to Southeast Asia, accidentally spread to Europe, Japan, and South Korea, becoming invasive in these regions.

Yellow-legged hornets are about an inch long with yellow legs. They build paper nests in trees with around 6,000 workers on average. They're active from April to fall.

Savannah Bee Company employees noticed the hornets attacking bees and capturing them mid-air, raising concerns about their impact on bee populations.

These hornets eat various insects, including honeybees, posing a risk to native pollinators, honey production, and agriculture, which relies heavily on pollination.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is planning to trap, track, and remove the hornets. They've created a reporting form for hornet sightings and ask people to exercise caution as similar native species exist.

If anyone outside Georgia spots this hornet, they're urged to report it to their local Department of Agriculture.