yellow-legged hornet
noun
ˈye-lō-ˈlegd- 
-ˈlāgd-;
-ˈle-gəd-,
-ˈlā-
variants
or less commonly yellow legged hornet
plural yellow-legged hornets also yellow legged hornets
: a chiefly dark brown and orange hornet (Vespa velutina) of southeastern Asia that has yellow on the lower parts of the legs and that has been introduced into parts of Europe where it has become an invasive (see invasive entry 1 sense 1a) species that preys on honeybees
The species are also easy to spot as they have yellow legs, hence why they are also known as the yellow-legged hornet. Their face is orange and they have reddish-brown eyes.—
Kat Hopps
Kat HoppsNote: This insect, formerly known as the Asian hornet, was officially renamed by the Entomological Society of America in July 2022 in order to comply with Society policies discouraging geographic references for invasive species.
Examples of yellow-legged hornet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other similar hornets have previously made headlines after they were spotted in Georgia, such as the yellow-legged hornet.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
That's according to researchers from the University of Oviedo in Spain, who were completing an eco-monitoring program to analyze the biodiversity of insects affected by the trapping of the yellow-legged hornet, whose scientific name is vespa velutina.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
One yellow-legged hornet can kill dozens of honeybees in a single day.
—Hannah Hoag, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024
In Georgia, where agriculture is the state’s top industry, officials are particularly concerned about the yellow-legged hornet’s threat to honeybees and honey production.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
The massive, tan nests that yellow-legged hornets construct can hold 10 times that many.
—Drew Kann, ajc, 28 Aug. 2023
Check to ensure the insect is indeed a yellow-legged hornet.
—Drew Kann, ajc, 28 Aug. 2023
The department has created a form through which people can report yellow-legged hornet sightings.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Aug. 2023
Before the discovery of the nest, Harper said a total of four yellow-legged hornets had been spotted, all in the same general area near Savannah.
—Drew Kann, ajc, 28 Aug. 2023
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Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
That's according to researchers from the University of Oviedo in Spain, who were completing an eco-monitoring program to analyze the biodiversity of insects affected by the trapping of the yellow-legged hornet, whose scientific name is vespa velutina.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
One yellow-legged hornet can kill dozens of honeybees in a single day.
—Hannah Hoag, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024
In Georgia, where agriculture is the state’s top industry, officials are particularly concerned about the yellow-legged hornet’s threat to honeybees and honey production.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
The massive, tan nests that yellow-legged hornets construct can hold 10 times that many.
—Drew Kann, ajc, 28 Aug. 2023
Check to ensure the insect is indeed a yellow-legged hornet.
—Drew Kann, ajc, 28 Aug. 2023
The department has created a form through which people can report yellow-legged hornet sightings.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Aug. 2023
Before the discovery of the nest, Harper said a total of four yellow-legged hornets had been spotted, all in the same general area near Savannah.
—Drew Kann, ajc, 28 Aug. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near yellow-legged hornet
Cite this Entry
“Yellow-legged hornet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellow-legged%20hornet. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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