The recent arrival and identification of Yellow Legged Hornets (Vespa velutina) (YLH) in Georgia marks a big change in Maryland beekeepers' need to stay on top of new vespid threats! Unlike the Asian Giant Hornet (so called "murder hornet") that is not present in Maryland and coverage of which needlessly agitated the public, the arrival of YLH on the East Coast calls for community attention and action.

Cybil Preston recently presented to DCBA via Zoom with a briefing on the latest information regarding YLH and its likely arrival in our area, including identification tips, nesting behavior, impacts to bee colonies. and more. She has kindly allowed us to make the video available to you! [link]

Yellow Legged Hornets are voracious predators of pollinators, with significant interest in bee colonies. Once located, the hornets will return again and again to take returning foragers. This behavior accelerates in the late Summer and Fall with increase in the size of hornet colonies and the decline of the presence of hornet larvae (which play a role in colony nutrition). YLH may have negative impact on all native and managed pollinators, and unfortunately it increases at the time of year when it can least be sustained.

Beekeepers are being asked to learn what YLH and their nests look like, and become familiar with where to look and where to report potential sightings. The world of insects is vast, and it is easy to mistake unrelated, unthreatening species, so the time to study and prepare is now!

[Return to November 2023 BeeLine newsletter]