Granite Countertops in Savannah, SC

While the yellow-legged hornet is no more harmful to humans than other hornets, it can be devastating to bee populations.

Credit: Clemson University

CLEMSON, S.C. — After yellow-legged hornets were found in Savannah, officials at Clemson University wants beekeepers and the general public to be on the lookout for the invasive species. While this species of hornet is no more harmful to humans than other hornets, the yellow-legged hornet can be devastating to managed and wild bee populations.

On August 9, the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the University of Georgia's identification of a found insect as a yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina). Because of its coloring, the yellow-legged hornet is often confused with cicada killer wasps, bald-faced hornet, paper wasps, queen yellowjackets, wood wasps and robber flies, but is distinguished from these other stinging insects by its larger size.

Yellow-legged hornet queens measure about 1.2 inches long, workers about 0.8 inches. The hornets have a dark head, mostly dark thorax, and yellow-tipped legs. They build large egg-shaped paper nests above ground, often in trees, and can house an average of 6,000 workers.

This particular hornet is native to Southeast Asia and has established itself throughout most of Europe and areas of the Middle East and Asia.

Brad Cavin, program director of Clemson University's Department of Plant Industry Apiary Inspection Program, urges beekeepers and the public to stay vigilant.

“While we are spearheading a robust trapping protocol in the South Carolina Lowcountry, beekeepers, and the public both play an important role in our efforts to minimize any potential impact from this invasive pest. That’s why we are asking for public assistance with monitoring for and reporting unusual hornet activity, especially around honeybee hives,” said Cavin.

People who suspect they have found a yellow-legged hornet are urged to report their findings to www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/ylh.html.

Clemson will work with federal officials to confirm suspected specimens and respond to active hornet colonies if they are located.

There’s an invasive hornet on the prowl in Georgia, and South Carolina officials are urging beekeepers to look out for them here, too.

A yellow-legged hornet was confirmed in Savannah earlier this month by the federal Department of Agriculture. The Georgia sighting is the first time the insect — which can have a devastating impact on bees — has been found in the United States.

The species, native to Southeast Asia, is no more harmful to humans than other hornets and has not been detected in South Carolina.

A regulatory sector of Clemson University tasked with protecting the state’s beekeeping industry will begin monitoring Lowcountry locations through an elaborate trapping system.

The program’s coordinator Brad Carvin is urging the state’s beekeepers and the public to stay vigilant, noting that both groups are vital in minimizing potential impacts from the invasive pest.

“That’s why we are asking for public assistance with monitoring for and reporting unusual hornet activity, especially around honeybee hives,” Cavin said.

Yellow-legged hornets can be identified by their yellow legs (hence the name), but their body and head coloration can vary. Adult hornets are a little less than an inch long.

They build egg-shaped paper nests above ground and are often in trees, Clemson said. The nests can be large and house an average of 6,000 workers.

This species is often confused with a number of other native pests, like the cicada killer wasp, paper wasps, queen yellow jackets and robber flies, among other insects.

“The yellow-legged hornet is a predatory insect that has been reported to attack western honeybee colonies and has become a serious pest of beekeeping operations where it has been introduced,” said Ben Powell, who directs Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Apiary and Pollinator program.

Establishment of the pest in the United States would pose a significant threat to the already embattled beekeeping enterprises here, Powell said.

They could threaten honey production and native pollinators.

People who believe they have found a yellow-legged hornet are urged to report their finding online at www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/ylh.html. Clemson will work with federal officials to confirm suspected specimens and respond to active hornet colonies they locate.

Clemson University officials are urging South Carolina beekeepers and the public to be on the lookout for yellow-legged hornets after the invasive insect was discovered in the Savannah, Georgia, area.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is reporting that a Savannah-area beekeeper found an unusual hornet on his property and reported it to the GDA. On August 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the University of Georgia’s identification of this insect as a yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina). This is the first time a live yellow-legged hornet has been found in the U.S.

While the yellow-legged hornet — not to be confused with the Asian giant hornet — is no more harmful to humans than other hornets, it can have a devastating impact on both managed and wild bees.

Although the hornet has not been detected in South Carolina, Clemson’s Department of Plant Industry Apiary Inspection Program — the regulatory agency charged with protecting the state’s beekeeping industry — in collaboration with Clemson Cooperative Extension Apiculture and Pollinator Program, will begin monitoring Lowcountry locations through an elaborate trapping system.

The program’s coordinator Brad Cavin is also urging the state’s beekeepers and public to stay vigilant.

“While we are spearheading a robust trapping protocol in the South Carolina Lowcountry, beekeepers, and the public both play an important role in our efforts to minimize any potential impact from this invasive pest. That’s why we are asking for public assistance with monitoring for and reporting unusual hornet activity, especially around honeybee hives,” said Cavin.

People who suspect they have found a yellow-legged hornet are urged to report their findings to www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/ylh.html.

Clemson will work with federal officials to confirm suspected specimens and respond to active hornet colonies if they are located.

The yellow-legged hornet is native to Southeast Asia and has established itself in most of Europe and areas of the Middle East and Asia. The hornet builds egg-shaped paper nests above ground and often in trees. The nest can be large and house an average of 6,000 workers. This exotic hornet may be confused with several native insects, including the cicada killer wasp, the bald-faced hornet, paper wasps, queen yellowjackets, wood wasps and robber flies, but is distinguished from these other stinging insects by its larger size.

The public can visit this Clemson University publication to learn more about the hornet.

“The yellow legged hornet is a predatory insect that has been reported to attack western honeybee colonies and has become a serious pest of beekeeping operations where it has been introduced,” said Ben Powell, who directs Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Apiary and Pollinator program. “Establishment of this exotic pest in the U.S. would pose a significant threat to our already embattled beekeeping enterprises.”

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - A project to improve Main Road and traffic backups has been in the works for years and construction could start in a matter of months.

The Main Road Corridor project aims to improve congestion, fix drainage and add facilities for bike/pedestrian safety. The project has been divided into three segments and the section with the Savannah Highway intersection is part of the highest priority.

“We’re building more and more multi-unit housing both right behind me on 17 and going towards Kiawah on the left-hand side of the Limehouse Bridge,” Chris Monteleone, who lives near the Limehouse Bridge says. “There needs to be something more done.”

Monteleone says he’s ready to see his taxpayer dollars at work.

“It took me 30 minutes to pick a pizza up last night to go two miles and that’s definitely frustrating,” Monteleone says. “You’ve got to pick your days. I’m fortunate - I can see the Limehouse Bridge from my house and I’ll look up and say ‘nope.’ I’m not going anywhere.”

After seven years, things are finally starting to pick up speed. In the last few weeks, Charleston County put out the final Request for Proposals.

“We have three design-build teams that have been shortlisted,” Herbert Nimz, Charleton County Public Works Engineering Manager, says. “The procurement process is very in-depth. We have one-on-one interviews among many other steps in the schedule.”

Their goal is to award the project in January of next year.

“I assume we’ll see certain aspects to construction start within two to three months after that,” Nimz says. “Just be patient. There will be some progress soon.”

The project is costing more than $150 million. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is not committing any funds although they have been helping with the project’s review.

We did get a grant from the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank, the SIB, which is applicable to this project,” Nimz says. “Of course, we have to spend a certain amount of money before we get that money, but there is an agreement there with them.

Segment A will likely be a three-and-a-half to four-year project, so we’re looking at 2027-2028. The project, which the public was a part of the process of approving, includes a flyover bridge between Savannah Highway and Main Road. There will also be a flyover that will connect Main Road to Bees Ferry Road.

The interchange ramps at U.S. 17 have been modified to improve access along U.S. 17 and to minimize impacts on a planned Charleston Water System water line. Access to Main Road from Marshfield Road will be right in right out. Left turns onto Hoggard Lane from Main Road will be allowed. Left turns out of Hoggard Lane onto Main Road will be prohibited. Access to Main Road from Bayou Road and McLeod Mill Road will be right in right out. The shared-use path will be 12 feet wide throughout the project except for the standalone pedestrian bridge over the Stono River which will be 14 feet wide. The Limehouse Boat Landing will have a new access point to River Road and the existing boat ramp on Main Road will be right in right out. The design of the roundabout has been modified to allow a free-flow movement from River Road to Main Road northbound.

“Obviously since there hasn’t been a ton of on-the-ground progress people would assume that we’re not working hard, but we are working very diligently to award this contract and get construction started in early 2024,” Nimz says.

There are two other segments on Main Road slated for improvements. Section B is from River Road to Maybank Highway - which is currently inactive. Section C is from Maybank Highway to Betsy Kerrison Parkway - several options will be examined for the segment, including widening River Road, widening Bohicket Road and constructing a new road across the island.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

Above video: Preview of Bluffton's weekend event

Juneteenth is just days away and there are a variety of opportunities in and around Savannah to take part in as the holiday approaches.

Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom

WJCL 22 News is a proud sponsor of Pooler's Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration.

The celebration is free to the public. There will be live music, food trucks, storytellers, games and much more.

When: Saturday, June 17^th

Where: Tanger Outlets Pooler

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'Traumatic' event for passengers stuck on plane at Savannah airport without food, water or bathrooms

For more information click here

Annual 3-day Juneteenth Festival

The Bluffton community will celebrate a tradition commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Africans in America during the annual Bluffton Juneteenth Festival.

Black Food Truck Friday Festival

When: June 16, 5 – 10 p.m.

Where: Buckwalter Commerce Park, 25 Buckwalter Place Blvd., Bluffton, SC

Bluffton Juneteenth Festival

When: June 17, 4-10 p.m.

Where: Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road.

Shuttles will be provided to and from this event beginning at 3:30 p.m. from Red Cedar Elementary.

Juneteenth Jazz Brunch

When: June 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m

Where: Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road, Bluffton

For more details on the 3-day festival visit the organizers' Facebook page.

Georgia Southern Juneteenth Celebration

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center will officially open its doors with a grand opening and ribbon cutting.

When: June 19, 11 a.m to 2 p.m.

Where: 13040 Abercorn Street, Savannah

NAACP Juneteenth celebration

There will be more than 70 vendors including food trucks, horseback riding for the kids, face painting, Juneteenth Essay contest, Old School Car and Bike Show, Zumba and so much more.

When: June 17, 12 to 6 p.m.

Where: Historic Dorchester Academy 8787 Oglethorpe Hwy. Midway

Juneteenth Celebration

The celebration will feature several Black owned food businesses, small marketplace of apparel, and accessories.

When: June 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Forsyth Park Savannah

Click Here for more information

Tybee Juneteenth Beach Celebration

The Tybee MLK Human Right Organization is hosting its 3rd Annual Juneteenth Festival on the beach.

When; June 17-18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Memorial Park 401 Jones Ave., Tybee Island

Click here for more details

Hilton Head Island Annual Juneteenth Celebration

The Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Hilton Head Island returns with the crowd's favorite food and art vendors, plus live bands!

When: June 17, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: 40 Harriet Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island

For more information, Click Here.

Savannah Art Museum Juneteenth Celebration

The festivities will reflect on and honor the past while celebrating the future. This event will feature music and dancing, spoken word performances, a marketplace, African food samples, info/resource tables and more.

When: June 17, 11am

Where: Savannah African Art Museum; 201 E. 37^thStreet Savannah, GA 31401