Earlier this month, a beekeeper in Savannah made a startling discovery: two yellow-legged wasps, a feared species among beekeepers worldwide. Authorities swiftly confirmed that this was the first live, wild specimen of the yellow-legged hornet ever found in the United States. Alarmed by the potential threat to honey bees and other crucial pollinator insects, Georgia officials issued a stern warning, emphasizing the importance of tracking and eradicating these invasive pests.
The concern extends beyond Georgia, as Savannah is just 120 miles from the Florida border. Amy Vu, from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, emphasized the significance of preventing the yellow-legged hornet from establishing a presence in Florida. North American honey bees lack natural defenses against this species, posing a serious threat to honey bee populations and, subsequently, our food supply.
According to Clemson University’s Land Grant Press, few predators in the southeastern United States attack hives for honey or larvae, with black bears and striped skunks being rare exceptions. This means that bees are ill-equipped to defend against swarms of hornets with their thick exoskeletons.
The origin and reproductive capabilities of the yellow-legged hornets in the wild in the U.S. remain unknown. However, their presence in Florida is a concern due to the subtropical climate’s similarity to their native range in Southeast Asia.
Yellow-legged hornets are nearly an inch long, with queens reaching 1.2 inches. While smaller than their infamous relatives, the northern giant hornets or “murder hornets,” yellow-legged hornets possess an advantage over honey bees due to their larger size and protective armor. They raid bee hives, communicating through pheromones to call for backup and swiftly destroy entire honey bee colonies.
This invasive species has already caused damage to honey bee populations in Japan, Korea, and Europe since its introduction in the early 2000s.
In Florida, honey bees play a crucial role in crop pollination for blueberries, cucumbers, citrus fruits, watermelons, and more. With the second highest colony-producing honey bees in the nation, Florida’s honey bees have a national impact. The pollination services provided by Florida beekeepers extend to almond, cranberry, and apple farmers across the country, contributing an estimated $15 billion in crop value, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
Fortunately, there have been no sightings of yellow-legged hornets in Florida. However, if they do appear, the state urges residents to exercise caution and not attempt to kill anything resembling a hornet or its hive. Yellow-legged hornets resemble native pollinators of agricultural crops and native plants, making it crucial to protect these innocent species as well.
While yellow-legged hornets have been reported to be non-aggressive, individuals in France have experienced ocular symptoms associated with the hornets without being stung. As a precaution, the state advises residents to watch for and report any sightings of yellow-legged hornets. If you believe you have seen one or have a photo, you can contact [email protected] or call the FDACS hotline at 1-888-397-1517.
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