Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornets Threaten Bees in the U.S.
The United States faces a new threat in the form of invasive yellow-legged hornets, which are the smaller cousins of the infamous murder hornet. Native to southeast Asia, these hornets have made their way to the U.S., endangering local honeybee populations and agriculture.
Yellow-legged hornets are significantly smaller than murder hornets, with queens being three-quarters the size of their larger relatives. Recognizable by their distinctive coloring, these hornets have partially or primarily yellow legs and exhibit variations in body and head colors.
Belonging to a social wasp species, yellow-legged hornets construct egg-shaped paper nests typically found in trees, housing an average of 6,000 workers. However, their preferred food source poses a significant problem for honeybees. They are particularly inclined to hunt honeybees, as reported by the University of Florida's extension service.
The combination of their larger size, formidable strength, and thick exoskeleton makes them formidable predators when attacking bees. These hornets have been described as "true hornets" and exceptionally skilled hunters.
Most species of hornets prey on other insects' larvae, often targeting nests of social bees and wasps. The hornets invade a bee nest, eliminate worker bees defending the hive, and consume the bee larvae, causing severe damage to the local honeybee population.
This new threat could have dire consequences for bees and the agricultural sector in the United States. In Georgia alone, the value of pollinator-dependent crops amounts to an estimated $430 million annually. Additionally, Georgia's beekeeping industry plays a crucial role in pollinating crops on farms across the country.
Efforts are underway to locate and control these invasive insects. Although no full colonies have been found, two individual yellow-legged hornets were discovered on the same property near the Port of Savannah. Researchers believe that the hornets may have entered the U.S. on a container ship. To track and trap additional hornets, officials plan to use feeding stations and locate potential nests.
Washington's Department of Agriculture used a similar approach when dealing with murder hornets in the state, using radio transmitters to track and trap the invasive insects. So far in 2023, there have been no sightings of murder hornets in Washington.
However, Europe's efforts to eliminate the yellow-legged hornet have proven unsuccessful over nearly two decades. Honeybee experts and scientists emphasize the urgency of addressing this new threat, as the yellow-legged hornet poses a relentless danger to honeybee populations in the United States.
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