April 2026 Yellow-Legged Hornet Update: Separating the Yellow-Legged Hornet from the Look-a-likes

Introduction

Our goal is to keep you informed about the Yellow-legged Hornet (YLH) infestation in South Carolina. Supportive community relationships are essential to the success of detecting, tracking, and removing this pest. This update is being issued to collaborators, communities, and stakeholders, and we invite you to share this information with anyone who may be affected by our operations.

Photo Description: YLH Embryo nests will vary in size from a ping pong to tennis ball. These sites are commonly found underneath rooflines and eaves of structures. Image credit: CU DPI YLH Reporting Tool

Background

What happened? In August 2023, Vespa velutina, Yellow-Legged Hornet (YLH) was detected in the United States for the first time near Savannah, GA, less than five miles from the South Carolina-Georgia border. In Spring 2024, several YLH queens and one embryo nest were found in Beaufort County; worker detections continued through summer.

Why do we care? Yellow-Legged Hornets prey on honeybees, causing reduced foraging and colony failure. This impact would result in reduced honey and other honeybee products and reduced crop production due to decreased pollination by honeybees and native pollinators.

What are we doing? With the Support of USDA APHIS, Clemson’s Honeybee Protection Program is surveying for YLH focusing on detecting workers and finding nests within a wide area around the initial detections. Baited traps are used to initially detect hornets, followed by tracking live hornets to narrow down the nest search area. Eradication focuses on locating and destroying nests including queens. Nests should ideally be destroyed by late summer or very early fall before new queens are actively mating and dispersing. Nest destruction will continue throughout the fall and early winter.

What does it look like?

• Body length: Ranges from 0.7 – 1.0 inches
• Colorations:
  • Head: Mostly black with some front-facing yellow/orange; Black eyes
  • Thorax: Mostly solid black/dark brown
  • Abdomen: Alternating bands of dark brown/black and yellow/orange
  • Legs: Brown or black near the body, ending in yellow segments

Life Cycle

YLH By the Numbers – 2026 Stats as of 04/13/2026

• 4,279 traps are set in Beaufort, Charleston, Chester, Colleton, Dorchester, Jasper, Hampton, Lancaster, and York Counties.
• 9,451 YLH trap services completed in counties within survey response area.
• 2,871 traps currently in the Low-Country District.
• 1,408 traps currently in the York District.
• 102 Embryo nests removed in the Low-Country.
• 1 YLH Embryo nest removed in the Up-Country
• 12 YLH Queens have been caught in traps placed in the Up-Country District.
• More than 3,500 YLH Queens have been caught in traps placed in the Low-Country District.

Image descriptions: The above maps are YLH trapping areas in SC. Image credit: Brad Cavin; CU DPI

Image description: The above maps reflect YLH nests located and removed to date in SC. To view the live nest map, please follow this link. Image credit: Brad Cavin; CU DPI

Latest Buzz

The Clemson Department of Plant Industry (DPI) and USDA inspectors placed and regularly monitor Yellow-Legged hornet traps throughout Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton, Charleston, Chester, Dorchester, Hampton, Lancaster, and York Counties of South Carolina. Trapping sites are established near known YLH detections and honeybee colonies.

During the Spring season the YLH Queen emerges from overwintering. Early detection of the first stage of nest called an “Embryo Nest” is critical in preventing the third and final stage called a “Secondary Nest”. During this time the queen constructs the nest in which she rears the first set of workers.

DPI is currently monitoring traps and removing YLH nests when discovered. Expanding trapping locations and continuing public outreach efforts are also major objectives. The public should survey structures and report any YLH Embryo Nests, typically found in protected areas that are sheltered from environmental conditions (ex. constructed underneath roof lines, eaves of buildings).

The YLH lifecycle shows year-round identification. By recognizing the hornet in different stages of life and understanding the different nests constructed throughout the lifecycle, citizens can assist in the early detection and eradication of infestations. YLH move to new areas primarily through human activities such as trade, travel, and tourism, often hitching rides on vehicles and cargo. It also has a natural movement ranging from 10 to 20 miles a year.

Look-a-like of the Month: Bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)

Photo descriptions: Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) Image credits: CU DPI Reporting Tool; NC State Extension

Photo descriptions: Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) Image credits: CU DPI Reporting Tool

What you can do

• Beekeepers: Beekeepers play a vital role in monitoring apiaries and colonies for YLH activity and reporting YLH sightings to Clemson® DPI’s reporting tool. Reporting activity helps DPI deploy traps if needed and attempt to identify the nest location in a timely manner. Keep an eye out for hawking behavior on honeybee colonies.
• Citizens: All South Carolina citizens can familiarize themselves with hornet and nest identification and assist with reporting. A citizen trapping program for the YLH is now live. The program includes instructions & videos on constructing traps, baits, and reporting YLH findings.
• The Yellow-legged hornet is an invasive species that will move to new areas primarily through human activities such as trade, travel, and tourism, often hitching rides on vehicles and cargo, so please be careful and inspect your items prior to travel especially if you live in a YLH infested area.
• DO NOT attempt to remove a nest on your own. Report it to the YLH Reporting Tool. Someone from the YLH Response Team will contact you and arrange the removal. We will make sure to remove the nest and queen; this will ensure the queen does not fly off and start a new nest location.
• ALL REPORTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A PHOTO WITH THE REPORT. AN IDENTIFICATION CANNOT BE MADE OR VERIFIED WITHOUT A PHOTO.

Closing

The mission of Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI) is to protect South Carolina’s agricultural resources and natural ecosystems from the introduction and spread of invasive species and to enhance the efficiency of South Carolina’s agriculture. South Carolina faces major concerns from biosecurity issues and exotic pests. Without federal assistance, South Carolina would not be able to maintain early detection, provide maximum affordable laboratory capability, and maintain a field force to conduct surveys and identify, quarantine, and dispose of introduced pests at effective levels.

Clemson DPI would like to recognize the funding and support received from the USDA, without which YLH trapping efforts would not be possible. We would also like to thank the GA Department of Agriculture for their invaluable expertise and collaboration on YLH eradication in SC.

Helpful Links

• Clemson® DPI Resources
  • YLH Reporting Tool
  • YLH Identification Tips
  • DPI YLH Lookalikes
  • Map of YLH Nest Locations in SC
• USDA APHIS on YLH
• Georgia Department of Agriculture on YLH
• Clemson Extension’s Apiculture and Pollinator Program
• Article on Exotic Hornet Threats to Apiculture
• York County Detection Article

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