The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that an invasive hornet species was recently discovered in Savannah. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper reported the detection of a yellow-legged hornet in Georgia at a press conference on Tuesday.
The reported discovery marks the first live detection of the invasive pest in the United States. Officials said the species could threaten honey production, native pollinators, and the state’s agriculture industry.
The GDA said it is imperative that the pests are tracked and eradicated, and told the public it is working with multiple agencies, including the University of Georgia, to trap, track, and eradicate the hornets. Officials also asked for the public’s help in reporting sightings of the invasive hornet, using an online reporting form.
