Since Yellow-legged hornets were first identified in the Bluffton area in November 2023, Clemson University’s Department of Plant Industry Apiary Inspection Program and Clemson Cooperative Extension have been engaged in a statewide fight against the potentially devastating insect.
Now, officials are asking the public in South Carolina to continue their vigilance by using the Yellow-legged Hornet Reporting Tool to focus on reporting sightings in areas of the state where the insect has not yet been found.
New detection highlights importance of early reporting
That call to action comes as Clemson officials confirmed a new detection in York County on Dec. 8, 2025, the first known occurrence of a Yellow-legged hornet nest outside the Lowcountry. The discovery followed a report from a local beekeeper who noticed hornets exhibiting aggressive “hawking” behavior near honeybee hives. Inspectors were able to locate and remove the nest.
For Clemson officials, the York County detection reinforces the key point that early reporting works, and it is especially critical in areas where the hornet has not yet established a presence.
“The York County detection is an important reminder that invasive species can travel long distances, often with the unwitting help of people,” said Steven Long, assistant director of Clemson’s Department of Plant Industry. “That’s why public reporting is so important. It gives us the early warning we need to respond quickly.”
Why reporting outside known areas matters
For more than two years, Clemson response teams have focused on containing Yellow-legged hornets in the Lowcountry, particularly in Beaufort and Jasper counties. That effort has grown into a large-scale operation spanning multiple regions of the state.
As of April 2026, Clemson and its partners have deployed 4,279 traps across Beaufort, Charleston, Chester, Colleton, Dorchester, Jasper, Hampton, Lancaster and York counties. Crews have completed 9,451 trap service checks as part of ongoing monitoring and response efforts. Of those traps, 2,871 are currently active in the Lowcountry district and 1,408 in the York district.
That work has led to the removal of 172 embryo nests in the Lowcountry and two in the Upstate. More than 3,500 queens have been captured in Lowcountry traps, along with 18 queens in the Upstate, helping slow the spread of the invasive species.
Still, officials say the greatest risk is the hornet’s possible spread into new regions of the state.
“The most important reports we receive are from areas where we don’t yet have confirmed activity,” said Brad Cavin, coordinator of Clemson’s Yellow-legged hornet response program. “When someone in a new part of the state submits a report, it allows us to act quickly before a population can grow and spread.”
Public plays a critical role
Officials emphasize that residents should never attempt to remove a nest themselves. Instead, they should report it and allow trained inspectors to handle the situation.
“If you see a suspected nest, leave it undisturbed and report it,” Cavin said. “Our trained inspectors will take it from there.”
The Yellow-legged hornet poses no greater risk to humans than other hornets, but it presents a serious threat to honeybees and other pollinators. The insects prey on pollinators and can weaken or destroy entire colonies, creating ripple effects for agriculture and food production.
Beekeepers often detect hornets first, but Clemson officials stress that the general public is just as important in the response effort.
“These hornets do not respect property lines,” said Benjamin Powell of Clemson’s Apiculture and Pollinator Program. “A nest affecting a beekeeper’s hives could be located in a nearby yard or wooded area. That’s why we need everyone paying attention.”
What to look for and how to respond
Residents are encouraged to learn how to identify yellow-legged hornets and their nests. Adult hornets typically range from 0.7 to 1.0 inches in length. They have a mostly black head with a distinct yellow or orange face, dark thorax, and an abdomen marked by alternating dark and yellow-orange bands. Their legs are dark near the body and transition to yellow at the tips, one of their most recognizable features.
In early stages, nests may be small and found in sheltered locations such as eaves, porches or outbuildings. Mature nests are often high in trees and can grow large, housing thousands of hornets.
Even uncertain sightings should be reported, especially in parts of South Carolina where infestations have not been confirmed.
“We would much rather investigate a report that turns out to be a native insect than miss an early detection,” Cavin said. “That early window is when we have the best chance to contain this.”
A statewide effort
Clemson officials are working with partners across the Southeast and with federal agencies to monitor and respond to the spread of yellow-legged hornets. Neighboring states are also expanding surveillance and encouraging public reporting.
Still, officials say success in South Carolina depends heavily on public participation.
“Public reporting is our most effective early-warning tool,” Cavin said. “The more eyes we have across the state, the better chance we have of protecting our beekeeping industry and limiting the spread of this invasive insect.”
South Carolina residents who spot a suspected yellow-legged hornet or nest are encouraged to submit a report, along with photos, through Clemson’s online Yellow-legged Hornet Reporting Tool.
