Georgia and South Carolina Combat Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornet Threatening Honeybee Colonies
Georgia and South Carolina are actively working to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet, an invasive species from Asia that poses a significant threat to honeybee colonies in the southern U.S. The hornets, which first appeared in Georgia in 2023, likely arrived via a cargo ship. They are known to ambush and dismember honeybees, consuming their thoraxes to feed their young. This predatory behavior causes honeybees to become reluctant to leave their hives, leading to colony collapse. Brad Cavin, who leads South Carolina's invasive species response team for yellow-legged hornets, reported finding 16 nests in South Carolina in 2024 and destroying approximately 500 this year. In Georgia, trackers have removed about 80 nests this year. Sightings have now also been reported in North Carolina. Eradication efforts involve tracking hornets back to their nests, which can be as large as an exercise ball and are often hidden in trees or under roofs, and then injecting them with insecticide or removing them physically, so... 
