Public Asked to Track Yellow-Legged Hornet Sightings

What is a Yellow-Legged Hornet?

Yellow-legged hornets are medium-sized insects with yellow markings on their legs and brown to black bodies. The species, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, is native to temperate regions of Asia, but has recently invaded Europe and North America.

Yellow-legged hornets are predators and scavengers. Their diet consists of insects, fruits, and decaying plant material.

Yellow-legged hornets are not typically aggressive towards humans, but they will defend their nests if disturbed.

Why Are Yellow-Legged Hornets a Threat?

Yellow-legged hornets can be a problem for several reasons:

• They can damage crops and fruit trees.
• They can be a nuisance to people who are allergic to their stings.
• They can compete with native predators for food.

In Europe, yellow-legged hornets have been responsible for several deaths.

What Can You Do to Help?

If you see a yellow-legged hornet, please report it to your local agriculture or conservation agency. You can also help to prevent the spread of yellow-legged hornets by:

• Keeping your property free of food sources that attract hornets, such as garbage and overripe fruit.
• Sealing up any cracks or holes in your home or outbuildings where hornets could enter.
• Reporting any yellow-legged hornet nests that you find to your local authorities.

Track Hornet Sightings

One of the most important things you can do to help control the spread of yellow-legged hornets is to track their sightings.

If you see a yellow-legged hornet, please report it to the Vespa Velutina website. You can also report sightings to the iNaturalist website.

By reporting sightings, you can help scientists track the spread of yellow-legged hornets and develop more effective control measures.

Conclusion

Yellow-legged hornets are a serious threat to our environment and our economy. By working together, we can help to control the spread of these invasive pests.

Please report any sightings of yellow-legged hornets to your local authorities or to the websites listed above.