Lilac Damaged by Hornets? Likely Secondary to Underlying Decline

A Virginia gardener reports Japanese hornets eating bark on a 15-year-old white lilac. Branches are dead, leaves have brown spots, hornets persist. Photos attached.

Expert Insight

• Japanese hornets (Vespa mandarinia) are not established in the US. The insects are likely native hornets or wasps.
• Hornets/wasps do not eat living wood. They may scrape dead wood for nest material.
• The tree is likely dying from another cause (drought, disease, root issues), and the hornets are secondary.

Action

Confirm insect ID with local extension. Focus on tree health: water during drought, check for borers, cankers, or root rot. The hornets are a symptom, not the cause.