Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornets Threaten Bees in the U.S.
Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornets Threaten Bees in the U.S. The United States faces a new threat in the form of invasive yellow-legged hornets, which are the smaller cousins of the infamous murder hornet. Native to southeast Asia, these hornets have made their way to the U.S., endangering local honeybee populations and agriculture. Yellow-legged hornets are significantly smaller than murder hornets, with queens being three-quarters the size of their larger relatives. Recognizable by their distinctive coloring, these hornets have partially or primarily yellow legs and exhibit variations in body and head colors. Belonging to a social wasp species, yellow-legged hornets construct egg-shaped paper nests typically found in trees, housing an average of 6,000 workers. However, their preferred food source poses a significant problem for honeybees. They are particularly inclined to hunt honeybees, as reported by the University of Florida's extension service. The combination of their larger siz...