A “deadly” breed of hornet has swarmed into Georgia and officials are scrambling to stop the rapid population increase before the insects wreak havoc on the state’s agriculture industry.
Yellow-legged wasps have been spotted in at least a dozen separate locations in the Savannah area since the insects first appeared in the Peach State last month, the Georgia Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.
The wasp species — and its close relative the killer wasp — is an invasive species native to Southeast Asia that feeds on honey bees and other pollinators that drive Georgia’s agricultural industry, the state’s main economic source.
“Although it does not pose a serious risk to humans, pets and livestock, this wasp has proven itself to be a deadly predator of honey bees and other pollinators in Europe and Asia,” Dr. Keith Delaplane, director of the University of Georgia’s Honey Bee Program, said in a statement.
“The ideal scenario is the discovery and eradication of every established nest before the colony has time to produce a new queen that overwinters and starts the life cycle all over again next spring.”
Yellow-legged wasps have been spotted in at least 12 places around Savannah, Georgia. Georgia Department of Agriculture
The first yellow-legged wasp was discovered by a beekeeper in Savannah Aug. 9 who noticed an “unusual” insect on his property.
Since then, officials have found and promptly destroyed at least two hives — each of which typically houses up to 6,000 workers — both on Wilmington Island, a community 10 miles east of Savannah.
Although researchers are still awaiting DNA results from the second nest, genetics from the first nest suggest the wasps originated in Asia.
Insects feed on honey bees and other pollinators. Georgia Department of Agriculture
DNA from the first nest suggests the hornet came from Asia.Georgia Department of Agriculture
The state Department of Agriculture deployed several teams in the Savannah area specifically to trap and survey additional nests. At least 134 traps were placed around the detection zone.
Officials are asking the public to report any sightings of the invasive insects, but be careful about killing any that appear — Georgia is home to several native wasps that look a lot like the bloodthirsty yellow-legged bug.
At least two nests have been found and destroyed on Wilmington Island.Georgia Department of Agriculture
Invasive species such as the yellow-legged wasp and the hated spotted lanternfly cost the world at least $423 billion annually, according to a United Nations-backed report released last week.
More than 37,000 alien species wreak havoc on foreign lands after being introduced by human activity, threatening animal extinction, food insecurity and environmental disaster.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
