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Yellow legged wasp #857132

Asked January 08, 2024, 11:05 AM EST

with the recent discovery of this critter in Georgia and the ASSUMED eradication of it, what is in Michigan's plan if discovered here? My understanding trapping in early season traps queens before they build nests and multiply, do we have monitor stations? especially if they spread from georgia.

Ottawa County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi, thanks for the question.

USDA-APHIS works closely with MDARD to coordinate monitoring for invasive insects in Michigan. Considering how late in the season the Georgia discovery was made, action is most likely in the early stages.  We probably won’t hear anything new about this insect until they start ramping up for next growing season. 

USDA APHIS | Yellow-Legged Hornet

Michigan - National Plant Board

yellow legged hornet Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 | Filters: Proj: Invasive Hornets (ipmimages.org)

I hope this is helpful.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 10, 2024, 11:01 AM EST
We really should be looking at how it was combated in the Jersey Islands in France. The queens fly in spring and establish new hives if we don’t stop the queens in spring by trapping it becomes an all out invasion 
Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 10, 2024, at 11:01, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied January 10, 2024, 11:33 AM EST

Hi Matthew, 

Your concern is understandable.  The first siting of this pest in the U.S., was in August of last year in Georgia.  APHIS is onboard and you can be assured that the threat to honeybees is a major concern. This is early in the process.  Here is the contact info for the Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, of the Michigan Department of Agriculture:

Michigan - National Plant Board


An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 10, 2024, 3:40 PM EST

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