To prevent the spread of this destructive hornet throughout the South, UF/IFAS experts are collaborating with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. They are determined to raise awareness among residents about what they can do if they encounter or capture one of these hornets.
About the Yellow-Legged Hornet
This is the first detection of a live specimen of a yellow-legged hornet in the open United States. A native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia, the yellow-legged hornet is generally smaller than the Northern Giant Hornet (NGH).
Workers can be around half the size of an NGH, and queens can be around ¾ the size. The legs are partially or primarily yellow, hence the common name "yellow-legged hornet." The body and head coloration can vary. This hornet is a social wasp species that constructs egg-shaped paper nests above the ground, often in trees. These nests can become large, housing an average of 6,000 workers.
The yellow-legged hornet feeds on a variety of insects. If allowed to establish in the US, this invasive species could threaten honey production and native pollinators. These native pollinators play a vital role in the agriculture industry.
For more information, please see attached release. You may contact me at 352-294-3303.
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