Be Vigilant and Help Protect South Carolina Honey Bees from Invasive Hornets
In October a mailer from the Clemson Invasive Species Program was sent to Lowcountry locals requesting that they report any nest sightings of the Yellow-legged Hornet, Vespa velutina (YLH). This species of wasp is invasive and native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. The mailers included a QR code to report sightings.
“Yellow-legged hornets prey on insects, including honey bees. If they become established in the United States, they could seriously affect honey bee populations, reduce pollination, and impact agriculture.” USDA
In an interview with the New York Times and Post and Courier, Brad Cavin, apiary inspection program coordinator at Clemson, compared the Lowcountry’s battle against the yellow-legged hornet to “fighting Satan.” Once a hornet snatches a bee, it butchers the bee by removing its head, legs and wings to eat the abdomen. “We ask that people not attempt nest removals themselves or hire their own pest control company to do it,” he wrote. “We want to ensure every known hornet nest is eradicated safely.”
Please, if you are concerned about pollinators and want to learn more about the YLH:
1. click any of the links above
2. report nest sightings to Clemson Invasive Species Program here
3. do not attempt to remove a nest and do not hire a pest control company to remove.
Thank you!
Submitted by Valerie Doane
(Image Credits: Clemson University)