An invasive hornet that was recently spotted in Georgia poses a threat to the state’s honey production and native pollinators, which play a vital role in Georgia’s agriculture industry.

On Wednesday, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Georgia (UGA) announced the discovery and destruction of a second yellow-legged hornet’s nest on Wilmington Island near Savannah.

The first live detection of a yellow-legged hornet in the United States was confirmed in Georgia on Aug. 9. It was spotted by a beekeeper, who immediately notified the state.

Then, on Aug. 23, a yellow-legged hornet’s nest was located and destroyed by USDA staff and pest management professionals in a residential neighborhood on Wilmington Island.

Commissioner Harper said this second nest was discovered by department staff under a bridge on Wilmington Island on Sept. 15, and it was eradicated that evening. After eradication, the nest was examined by Dr. Lewis Bartlett from the University of Georgia and Dr. Jamie Ellis from the University of Florida. They identified developing hornets within the nest and confirmed there was no evidence of the production of reproductive males or queens within the colony at the time of destruction, according to the Department of Agriculture.

This hornet is known for its method of hunting bees and other pollinators. These pollinators play a significant role in Georgia’s agriculture industry, the state’s main economic driver, so it is crucial that they are tracked and eradicated.

ANF