Two types of dangerous wasps have appeared in Moscow due to the heat – what do you need to know?

The consequences of global warming are becoming increasingly noticeable. Temperatures are setting new absolute records, while the climate in mid-latitudes is becoming warmer. In this regard, the habitat of southern insects, including poisonous ones, is expanding. For example, several years ago, the appearance of the Argiope spider, better known as the “wasp spider,” was noted in the Moscow region. It is also not the first year that the insect mantis has been recorded. In the same year, experts reported the appearance of two types of southern wasps in Moscow at once – the pelopei wasp and the giant scolius wasp.

In Moscow, due to the heat, two types of dangerous wasps appeared — what do you need to know? Due to climate warming, wasps appeared in Moscow, which were previously found only in more southern regions. Photo source: vombat.su. Photo.

Due to climate warming, wasps have appeared in Moscow, which were previously found only in more southern regions. Photo source: vombat.su

Contents

  • 1 Pelopei wasp — spider hunter
  • 2 Why is the pelopei wasp dangerous
  • 3 Scolia the giant — the largest wasp in Europe
  • 4 How dangerous is the giant Scolia wasp
  • 5 What to do if bitten by a wasp

Pelopei wasp — spider hunter

These wasps are common in tropical and temperate latitudes around the world. They have a black body with yellow spots. The length of the insect varies from 12 to 32 mm. These wasps are easily recognized by their abdomen, which is located at a fairly large distance from the chest, and seems to be connected to it by a thin thread.

The Pelopei Wasp is a spider hunter. The Pelopei Wasp has a thin and long waist. Photo source: fotkiflo.ru. Photo.

The pelopei wasp has a thin and long waist. Photo source: fotkiflo.ru

The pelopei wasp differs from all its other brethren in that it preys on spiders. Moreover, she stores up her prey, that is, she stores a large number of dead or paralyzed spiders in her home. They build their houses from mud and clay, which they collect from damp places.

The pelopei wasp is a spider hunter. The pelopei wasp makes its nests from mud and clay. Photo source: fotkiflo.ru. Photo.

The pelopei wasp makes its nests from mud and clay. Photo source: fotkiflo.ru

To build nests, these wasps choose shelters that protect them from rain. Therefore, they are often sculpted under the eaves of buildings and even inside houses. The nest consists of separate cells, in each of which the wasp lays one egg. She also fills the cells with dead spiders and seals them. Therefore, the emerging offspring have a supply of food.

Why is the pelopei wasp dangerous

Like all wasps, pelopei has a sting, and can use it when it senses danger. Their bite is painful and can cause significant discomfort. But the most dangerous thing is the serious allergic reactions that a bite can cause. Their symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, and rapid heartbeat. If such symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical help.

Why the Pelopej wasp is dangerous. The Pelopej wasp often creates nests inside buildings. Photo source: dzen.ru. Photo.

The Pelopeia wasp often creates nests inside buildings. Photo source: dzen.ru

It should be taken into account that wasps sometimes create nests in ventilation shafts and in rooms where they have access. When they feel a threat to the nest, for example, a person approaches it closely, they become very aggressive and dangerous. The highest probability of encountering them is in private homes and summer cottages.

The giant Scolia is the largest wasp in Europe

Scolia giant, also known as Scolia spotted, is a large species of wasp belonging to the Scolia family. It is not only the largest wasp in Europe, but also the largest representative of the Hymenoptera on the continent. The body length of females reaches 40 millimeters, and males – 32 millimeters.

Scolia the giant — the largest wasp in Europe. Scolia — the largest wasp in Europe. Photo source: vombat.su. Photo.

Skolia — the largest wasp in Europe. Photo source: vombat.su

The main background of the body color is black, and has characteristic yellow stripes. The wings are wide, yellowish-brown, have a bright purple tint. This species lives in North Africa, southern Europe, Turkey, and is also found in the Middle East and Central Asia. In Russia, this wasp could previously only be found in the southern regions, for example, in the Voronezh region. Moreover, it is listed here in the Red Book. Now this wasp can also be found in Moscow.

Adult wasps feed exclusively on flower nectar, but the larvae are carnivorous – they feed on the larvae of large lamellar beetles. Moreover, their most common prey is the larvae of the rhinoceros beetle, as well as the marbled cockchafer and the cockchafer of the genus Melolontha.

The giant Scolia is the largest wasp in Europe. The giant Scolia feeds on the nectar of flowers. Photo source: admnvrsk.ru. Photo.

The giant Scolia feeds on the nectar of flowers. Photo source: admnvrsk.ru

Fertilized females look for beetle larvae in the soil, paralyze them with a sting and lay an egg inside. The hatched wasp larva eats the beetle larva completely, and then weaves a cocoon around it and thus overwinters. Adults also live in the ground – they dig holes near the roots of trees and stumps.

Since adult individuals, unlike ordinary wasps, feed only on nectar, they do not fly to food, for example, watermelons. Accordingly, the risk of encountering this wasp and being bitten is practically absent.

Why is the giant Scolia wasp dangerous

Due to their large size, these wasps look scary, but they are less poisonous than hornets. In addition, scolia do not attack in swarms, unlike many of their other relatives, the same hornets. Their single stings, although painful, do not pose a mortal danger to humans, if there is no allergy to them.

How dangerous is the giant Scolia wasp. Scolia does not attack people. Photo source: vombat.su. Photo.

Scolia does not attack people. Photo source: vombat.su

As with the stings of the Pelopeia wasp, an allergy to the insect venom can be life-threatening. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you must seek medical help.

What to do if you are bitten by a wasp

If you are bitten by a wasp, you should take an antihistamine, which will prevent the life-threatening consequences of an allergic reaction. The bite site should be washed with an antiseptic to prevent infection. Ice applied to the bite site will help relieve swelling and pain. By the way, all these measures must be taken when bitten by other poisonous insects, such as a spider wasp. Let us remind you that in the last few years, their invasion has been observed in the Moscow region.

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Of course, in addition to wasps and the argiope spider, other dangerous insects and snakes can be found in the Moscow region and even in Moscow. An encounter with some of them can be life-threatening. You can read more about this at the link.


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