Report Invasive Hornet sightings
What's New
Yellow-legged hornet intercepted in Washington port
On April 30, a WSDA grain inspector photographed a live yellow-legged hornet at the Port of Vancouver. Read about it in our press release.
In 2023 Georgia and South Carolina detected yellow-legged hornet
In August 2023, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) detected a yellow-legged hornet. GDA is asking Georgians to report sightings of the yellow-legged hornet. Learn more and report online by visiting GDA’s webpage.
In November 2023, the first yellow-legged hornet was detected in a trap in South Carolina. Clemson University is asking for public assistance with monitoring for and reporting unusually hornet activity, especially around honey bee hives. Submit photos of suspected hornets using the YLH 123 survey.
In November 2023, the first yellow-legged hornet was detected in a trap in South Carolina. Clemson University is asking for public assistance with monitoring for and reporting unusually hornet activity, especially around honey bee hives. Submit photos of suspected hornets using the YLH 123 survey.
WSDA, USDA announce eradication of northern giant hornet from the United States
After three years without confirmed detections, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have declared the northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) eradicated from Washington and the United States. Read more in the latest news release.
Invasive hornets
Invasive hornets poses a threat to honey bees and other pollinators in our state. Certain crops are dependent on bees - honey bees and native bees - for pollination. In fact, the USDA estimates that insect pollination adds more than $34 billion in economic value to U.S. agricultural crops annually.
Invasive hornets can attack and destroy honey bee hives. A few hornets can destroy a hive in a matter of hours. The hornets then defend the hive as their own, taking the brood to feed their own young. They also attack other insects but are not known to destroy entire colonies of those insects.
Invasive hornets would have a significant negative impact on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State if they were to become established here.
Invasive hornets can attack and destroy honey bee hives. A few hornets can destroy a hive in a matter of hours. The hornets then defend the hive as their own, taking the brood to feed their own young. They also attack other insects but are not known to destroy entire colonies of those insects.
Invasive hornets would have a significant negative impact on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State if they were to become established here.
Yellow-legged hornet (YLH) has become an invasive pest throughout Europe, where it has caused up to 30% losses of honey bee hives and honey.
In April 2026, a yellow-legged hornet was photographed live at the Port of Vancouver in Washington. WSDA is conducting trapping and outreach to ensure that no other hornets are in the area.
In April 2026, a yellow-legged hornet was photographed live at the Port of Vancouver in Washington. WSDA is conducting trapping and outreach to ensure that no other hornets are in the area.
Northern giant hornet attack all kinds of insect but pose a particular threat to honey bees. By the end of 2021, WSDA located and eradicated four northern giant hornet nests in Whatcom County. From 2022 through 2024, no hornets were detected. At the end of 2024, WSDA declared the northern giant hornet eradicated from Washington State.
European hornet
European hornets were introduced from Europe and have spread throughout the Eastern United States. They have not yet been detected in Washington State. Sightings of this insect should be reported, but they look very similar to native yellowjackets.
How to Report A Sighting
If you see an invasive hornet or have seen evidence of a hive attack, please report it! There are several ways to report suspected sightings in Washington State:
- Report using the Hornet Watch Report Form
- Email hornets@agr.wa.gov
- Call 1-800-443-6684 (Online or email reporting is preferred and usually allows us to respond more quickly.)
- Your name and contact information
- The location of the sighting/attack
- Date of sighting/attack
- Photograph of the hornet or damage (we generally cannot confirm a report without a photo or specimen)
- If not able to obtain a photo, include a description of the size of the insect, color of the head and body, and what it was doing.
- Description of the hive loss/damage (if no photo is available)
- Direction the hornet(s) went when flying away
More information
Still can't find the answers to your questions? You can contact us using the email and phone number below.
hornets@agr.wa.gov
1-800-443-6684 (You will get a quicker response by sending an email.)
hornets@agr.wa.gov
1-800-443-6684 (You will get a quicker response by sending an email.)
Report hornet sightings
Click here to go directly to WSDA's Hornet Watch Report Form to report invasive hornet sightings in Washington State ONLY.