The goal of this proposal is to address the critical need for developing biological control agents for yellow-legged hornet, the first step of which is foreign exploration

Because the biological control research and development process can take 10 years, IT is imperative to begin the search for biological control agents and establish collaboration with specialists in the native range of yellow-legged hornet now. Activities to be performed: activities to be performed include: 1) determining the most promising survey locations and developing collaborations in those countries; 2) conducting survey work in the distribution range of yellow-legged hornet; and 3) identifying collected specimens associated with yellow-legged hornet and assessing their potential as biocontrol agents. Deliverables and expected outcomes: deliverables from this project include: 1) a collection of different stages of yellow-legged hornet, their nests and associated fauna; 2) identification of all specimens collected in association with YLH and any other vespid species from the native range; 3) a list and assessment of biological control potential of the organisms associated with yellow-legged hornet; and 4) a presentation of the results to stakeholders and colleagues at georgia, south carolina, and north carolina departments of agriculture. Intended beneficiary(IES): the yellow-legged hornet, native to southeast asia, is a devastating pest to pollinators and the honey bees in places where IT has invaded. This research will be of great importance for the current efforts in georgia and south carolina to prevent the further spread of this invasive species and which is causing problems for local beekeepers due to the predation of their hives, in particular due to the predation and annihilation of honey BEE colonies or the decrease on production of their hives and the decrease on pollination services.