Hornets

Protecting Oregon from Invasive Hornets

Invasive hornets present significant risks to Oregon's agriculture, ecosystems and communities. These non-native wasps threaten honeybees and native pollinators, endanger crops, and can impact public health.  
Globally, invasive hornets hunt worker bees midair and coordinate mass raids to breach the honeybee’s hive, killing all adult bees and stealing their brood. They have been linked to major declines in honeybee colonies—up to 30 percent loss in some regions of Europe—causing substantial economic damage and ecological disruption. In France alone, honeybee losses associated with hornet predation are estimated to cost the apiculture sector €12 million annually.

If established in the United States, invasive hornets could jeopardize more than 95,000 honeybee colonies nationwide, leading to an estimated $11.9 million in hive product losses and over $100 million in reduction in pollinated crop value.

To protect Oregon's agriculture and environment, the ODA IPPM Program is actively tracking three high‑risk invasive hornet species.

The Yellow Legged Hornet (YLH)

 (Vespa velutina, Lapelletier)

Current U.S. Status

The YLH was first detected near the Port of Savannah, Georgia, in 2023. It has since been detected in South Carolina, where both states, supported by USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine, are engaged in eradication efforts. There are no known established populations outside Georgia and South Carolina.

2026 Washington Port Interception

On April 30, 2026, a Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) grain inspector discovered a hornet aboard a vessel during routine inspection. The insect was photographed and destroyed. WSDA entomologists later determined the specimen was likely a YLH; however, no sample was preserved for official USDA confirmation.

Follow‑up inspections by WSDA Pest Program staff and U.S. Customs and Border Protection found no additional hornets. Precautionary trapping for Queens and workers has been established, and the incident is considered a single hitchhiking event.

Identification & Safety

YLH are smaller than the northern giant hornet which was detected in Washington State in 2019 and declared eradicated in 2024, with no detections ever found in Oregon. Worker hornets measure approximately 0.75 to 1 inch long, with queens being larger. The species is named for its distinctive legs, which are yellow on the lower portion. The fourth abdominal segment is yellow orange.

ODA's response

Out of an abundance of caution, the Oregon Department of Agriculture is exploring opportunities for a targeted monitoring survey for worker YLH near the Port of Vancouver during the 2026 summer season.  We are asking beekeepers to pay attention and report any sightings of the YLH. Unlike the northern giant hornet, which typically nests in tree cavities or underground, YLH usually builds large, paper-covered nests in tree branches or other elevated outdoor locations. These nests can contain up to 6,000 workers. The species is highly aggressive and capable of stinging without provocation; ODA advises the public not to collect a specimen.

The Northern Giant Hornet (NGH)

(Vespa mandarinia, Smith)

This wasp species was first confirmed in Blaine, Washington, in 2019. The species is a serious predator of honeybees and other insects. Between 2020 and 2021, WSDA and USDA APHIS PPQ located and eradicated four nests in Whatcom County. The NGH has never been detected in Oregon.

No detections occurred from 2022 through 2024, and in late 2024 WSDA officially declared the species eradicated from Washington State. This success was made possible through strong collaboration between state officials, USDA APHIS, beekeepers, and the public. Because of the danger it poses, ODA urges people to report the species.

Identification & Safety

The NGH is easily recognizable for its massive size (1.5-2 inches long) and the solid yellow to orange head. The abdomen has alternating bands of dark brown/black and yellow/orange.  The Oregon Department of Agriculture urges extreme caution as these hornets have a 0.25-inch stinger that can penetrate most protective clothing. This wasp is one of the two most venomous insects known in the world. The venom is a mixture of histamine and acetylcholine which makes the sting of this wasp much more painful than that of a honeybee.

ODA's response

From 2021 to 2025, ODA set nearly 300 traps across Oregon to detect NGH. Members of the ODA Insect Pest Prevention and Management program were trained in Washington State and equipped with suits to trap and respond to potential sightings of the NGH.

The European Hornet

 (Vespa cabro, Linnaeus)

European hornets were introduced to the eastern United States in the mid‑1800s and are now established across the East Coast and parts of the Midwest. This species has never been detected on the West Coast of the United States or in Oregon State.

Sightings of this insect should be reported, but before you do make sure you know how to differentiate them from the native yellow jacket wasps.

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 Oregon State:

Take a photo, add a detailed description of the insect including size, and a description of where you found it. If it is a damaged hive, please add a description of the damage and the loss.

1. Submit suspect sightings at Oregon Invasives Hotline
2. Call 1-866-INVADER (1-866-468-2337). The ODA strongly encourages using the online reporting option, with a detailed description and clear photo, as it allows for more timely response by our specialists