A previously unknown relative of the notorious murder hornet, which caused havoc in the US in 2021, has been discovered in the country for the first time, posing a potential threat to agriculture. The yellow-legged hornet, native to South Asia, has been found in Georgia, prompting officials to urge residents to be vigilant for this invasive species that could harm honey production, local species, farms, and even human lives. One distinguishing feature of the hornet is its yellow-tipped legs and dark abdomen, which has yellow bands that widen towards the rear of the insect.
The alert was issued after a beekeeper in Savannah spotted the southeast Asian hornet on his property. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Agriculture are actively monitoring the situation and working to eradicate this newly arrived “murder hornet” species before it can cause any significant damage. Experts describe the hornet as a “social wasp species” capable of forming nests with an average of 6,000 worker hornets. These nests, shaped like eggs and made of paper, are usually found in trees or other elevated areas. While originally from tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, the yellow-legged hornet has since spread to parts of the Middle East, Asia, and most of Europe, where it has even caused human fatalities.
Reports from Europe have raised concerns about the dangers posed by encounters with this wasp species. However, the primary concern in Georgia is the hornet’s potential impact on honey bees, which play a vital role as pollinators in the state’s $75 billion-per-year agriculture industry. In fact, approximately one-third of the food consumed by Americans comes from crops pollinated by honey bees. Georgia’s Department of Agriculture, along with the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is working to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet. APHIS is providing technical expertise, technology, and outreach support, including DNA analysis to determine if the hornet in Georgia is related to European populations. The University of Georgia is also collaborating with the state and federal agencies to develop a comprehensive plan to trap, track, and eliminate the hornet.
Public involvement is crucial in this effort, and Georgia residents are encouraged to report any potential sightings of the hornet. The USDA has a photo gallery of hornet lookalikes on their website, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture has a reporting form for sightings. The Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia expressed gratitude to the beekeeper who reported the sighting and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public, state and federal agencies, and the scientific community to tackle this threat effectively.
To conclude, the discovery of the yellow-legged hornet in Georgia has raised concerns about its potential impact on agriculture and human lives. Prompt action is being taken by state and federal agencies, along with public involvement, to eradicate this invasive species and protect the vital role of honey bees in Georgia’s agriculture industry. By staying vigilant and reporting potential sightings, residents can contribute to the effort to mitigate the threat posed by this newly arrived “murder hornet.”
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