I find invasive species fascinating. The earth is so big and it's been here for so long that it seems absurd that a single human could introduce a non-native species to an area and have it affect the entire ecosystem. Over the last few years, there have been plenty of headlines about various invasive species: kudzu has been taking over the South for decades, domestic pythons are wreaking havoc in the Everglades, Joro spiders are practically everywhere in Georgia. It's so interesting to watch these species interact with the native ones and see how everything plays out. One potentially dangerous invasive species in Georgia has been in the news lately, and I've got to say, the stories certainly sound scary! A murder hornet's relative was recently spotted on multiple occasions near Savannah. I love all animals and am even fond of insects, but this is one I'll probably be steering clear of.
Savannah is a major port city: it's actually the third-busiest seaport city in the country. Thousands of shipping containers are handled here each day, and some bring along unexpected stowaways.
In late summer 2023, the Georgia Department of Agriculture announced that a Savannah beekeeper had found a yellow-legged hornet, or Asian hornet, attempting to nest near his hive.
This marked the first time the species had been discovered in the wild in the United States.
The yellow-legged hornets are closely related to the "murder hornet," the Asian giant hornet (pictured below) that has made headlines after being discovered in the Vancouver, Washington area in 2019.
The massive "murder hornets" look quite frightening, and their venom can be deadly to humans in high enough doses. However, ecologists' main concern is the damage that this species can do to native pollinators, like honeybees.As of late 2022, it is thought that the Asian giant hornet has been eradicated in the United States.
Like their larger and more fearsome relatives, the yellow-legged hornet can also do quite a bit of damage to native honeybee populations, which can, in turn, greatly harm the agriculture industry.
In mid-September, officials announced that a second nest was discovered under a bridge on Wilmington Island, not far from Savannah. The nest was destroyed and the state hopes that the species has been eradicated in the U.S.
Please note that there are several native species of wasp that do not harm pollinators that look quite similar to the Asian hornet/yellow-legged hornet. If you think that you have spotted an Asian hornet in Georgia, keep your distance and obtain photographs if possible. The Georgia Department of Agriculture requests that those believing they have seen this invasive species in Georgia to fill out a Yellow-Legged Hornet Watch Form and include photos if possible.
Invasive species or not, one thing's sure about life in Georgia: we're sure to encounter some insects! Next time you're heading out for a stroll through the woods, make sure to bring along some After Bite from REI to make sure you're prepared.
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