Clemson, S.C.— Clemson University officials are urging South Carolina beekeepers and the public to be on the lookout for yellow-legged hornets after the invasive insect was discovered in the Savannah, Georgia, area.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is reporting that a Savannah-area beekeeper found an unusual hornet on his property and reported it to the GDA. On August 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the University of Georgia’s identification of this insect as a yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina). This is the first time a live yellow-legged hornet has been found in the U.S.
While the yellow-legged hornet — not to be confused with the Asian giant hornet — is no more harmful to humans than other hornets, it can have a devastating impact on both managed and wild bees.
Although the hornet has not been detected in South Carolina, Clemson’s Department of Plant Industry Apiary Inspection Program — the regulatory agency charged with protecting the state’s beekeeping industry — in collaboration with Clemson Cooperative Extension Apiculture and Pollinator Program, will begin monitoring Lowcountry locations through an elaborate trapping system.
The program’s coordinator Brad Cavin is also urging the state’s beekeepers and public to stay vigilant.
“While we are spearheading a robust trapping protocol in the South Carolina Lowcountry, beekeepers, and the public both play an important role in our efforts to minimize any potential impact from this invasive pest. That’s why we are asking for public assistance with monitoring for and reporting unusual hornet activity, especially around honeybee hives,” said Cavin.
People who suspect they have found a yellow-legged hornet are urged to report their findings to www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/ylh.html.
Clemson will work with federal officials to confirm suspected specimens and respond to active hornet colonies if they are located.
The yellow-legged hornet is native to Southeast Asia and has established itself in most of Europe and areas of the Middle East and Asia. The hornet builds egg-shaped paper nests above ground and often in trees. The nest can be large and house an average of 6,000 workers. This exotic hornet may be confused with several native insects, including the cicada killer wasp, the bald-faced hornet, paper wasps, queen yellowjackets, wood wasps and robber flies, but is distinguished from these other stinging insects by its larger size.
The public can visit this Clemson University publication to learn more about the hornet.
“The yellow legged hornet is a predatory insect that has been reported to attack western honeybee colonies and has become a serious pest of beekeeping operations where it has been introduced,” said Ben Powell, who directs Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Apiary and Pollinator program. “Establishment of this exotic pest in the U.S. would pose a significant threat to our already embattled beekeeping enterprises.”
Situation
In August 2023, the Georgia Department of Agriculture reported that a live yellow legged hornet, Vespa velutina, was collected in Savannah, GA, and the identification was confirmed by specialists at the University of Georgia in Athens and the US Department of Agriculture. This marks the first U.S. detection.
At present, no yellow-legged hornets have been found in South Carolina.
Potential Impact
The yellow legged hornet (YLH) is a predatory insect that commonly feeds on other social bees and wasps, including western honey bees. Originally from southeast Asia, the yellow legged hornet was introduced into France in 2004 where it quickly spread across much of western Europe. Subsequently, beekeepers reported colony losses resulting from yellow legged hornet attacks. Establishment of this exotic pest in the US poses a significant threat to our already embattled beekeeping enterprises.
The threat to human health is equivalent to that of other stinging insects/wasps and not heightened because it’s invasive status.
Protecting South Carolina’s Beekeeping Operations
Clemson supports the beekeeping industry statewide through research and extension with its Apiculture and Pollinator Program and provides disease and pest protection through its Apiary Inspection Program, housed within its Regulatory Services unit.
Clemson has developed resources to raise awareness within the beekeeping community about this potential pest and to help beekeepers and the public identify the yellow legged hornet and distinguish it from similar native insects. A thorough discussion of hornet biology and identification is covered in this publication.
The Apiary Inspection Program has developed a public reporting tool and will conduct investigations of plausible reports. Also, the Apiary Inspection Program is placing traps in counties bordering the Savannah area to determine if the hornet is present in South Carolina and monitor for this potential pest. Clemson’s regulatory services will work with federal officials to confirm suspected specimens and respond to active hornet colonies if they are located. At present, no yellow-legged hornets have been found in South Carolina.
Clemson University is asking for public assistance with monitoring for and reporting unusually hornet activity, especially around honey bee hives. Submit photos of suspected hornets using the YLH 123 survey.
More detailed information about yellow legged hornets is provided in this publication. Other questions about hornet biology and management can be directed to the Clemson Apiculture and Pollinator Program.
Follow this link to report Yellow Legged Hornet (YLH) in South Carolina: Yellow-legged hornet Reports (South Carolina) (arcgis.com)
YCBA MONTHLY MEETINGS
We begin our meetings with an In-The-Hive session where you will have the opportunity to ask and present problems with your hive to an experienced Beekeeper in a Town Hall format.
The main meeting will feature a guest speaker who will present on beekeeping related topics such as important plants for honey bees, pesticide practices and current events related to beekeeping practices.
Our time together closes with the club business meeting before adjourning.
TIME & DATE
The YCBA meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month excluding July and December.
6:00 PM: In-The-Hive
7:00 PM: Guest speaker
8:00 PM: Business meeting
1188 Edgefield Road, York, SC 29745
2023 Annual Christmas Banquet
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Sweet Caroline’s
4000 Chester Hwy
McConnells, SC 29726
South Carolina State Fair
October 11-23, 2023
View the 2023 SC State Fair Agricultural Exhibit Guide HERE.
They want YOU to know that they are adding categories and enhancing the Honey Show this year. As you are making plans for this year’s honey and beeswax harvest, include a plan to enter your products in this show. The prize money is REAL!
Honey Category Divisions are: Light Honey, Dark Honey, Beeswax (new in 2023), Beekeeper Exhibit
Deadline for entries: September 1, 2023
Helpful Hints as You Prepare Your South Carolina State Fair Entry
QUEEN Availability
Check your hives to make sure your queens are doing well before the queen rearing season comes to a close
as worker bees are starting to evict the drones
Females will chew off wings and/or legs of the males to get them to leave the hive. Sorry boys!
