ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is calling on the public to stop the spread of an invasive insect.

GDA said it’s now yellow-legged hornet season and these pests pose a threat to Georgia’s agriculture industry.

Why are they dangerous?

The yellow-legged hornet poses a threat and is harmful toward honeybees and other major pollinators, officials say. Those pollinators are critical to Georgia’s agriculture industry.

Without them, crops and products across the state are impacted.

What do they look like?

According to GDA, yellow-legged hornets look similar to insects that are native to the area. GDA said proper identification is important.

Yellow-legged hornets are around 2 centimeters wide and have a narrow waist. The bottom half of the insect’s legs are yellow. These hornets also have a wide yellow stripe toward the back of their abdomen.

GDA officials are also asking the public to look out for their nests.

Their nests are small, only about the size of a ping pong ball, and can be hard to find, GDA said. The nests are smooth and have a paper-like texture.

GDA said you should check porches and outdoor sheds.

What should you do if you see one?

GDA said if you see one of these hornets or their nest, report it.

Officials say you should snap a picture and submit it to the GDA’s Plant Protection Division Team’s website.

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