The largest representative of the Hymenoptera is a large wasp called the hornet. Its size reaches 5.5 cm in length, and the part of the head located behind the eyes is much larger than that of the other brothers. This individual is difficult to confuse with others due to its colorful and bright color: the head is yellow; the chest is black; abdomen - yellow with black spots; and the wings are yellowish brown. In a calm state, the insect peacefully folds its wings along its entire back and looks quite peaceful. And you will never think that this is a real predator.
Nesting place
Like the rest of the representatives of this detachment, the hornet prefers to live in forest plantations and in empty hollows. A large wasp, like its brethren, erects “paper nests” for itself, but it does not use the material to build its shelter like other individuals of this species. The basis for her housing are pieces of rotten wood and twigs of young birches. She also likes to get a temporary settlement in the attic buildings in the cottages and in the unfinished houses. In the tropics, lives in "possessions" suspended from trees.
What a big wasp eats
Hornet is a terrible sweet tooth and therefore prefers to include sucrose-rich substances in its diet, namely: fruits, honey dew, berries, flower nectar, tree sap. He does not deny himself also more dense food, eating gadfly and horseflies. And yet, the honey bee remains his favorite tidbit. And to feed their larvae, a large wasp catches flies, bees, sometimes even their own kind.
Danger to life
Hornet is found much less often than its counterparts. But it became apparent the frequent appearance of this uninvited guest in cottages and village houses. Residents are poorly aware that a large wasp is dangerous not only for health, but sometimes even for life. There is a proven technology for the destruction of wasp nests, which has been used for a very long time, albeit rarely. But it’s dangerous to deal with this predator directly. The flying individual is very aggressive, to prevent impending danger, it uses its pheromones (odorous substances).
Bite symptoms
If you destroyed the hornet, do not leave the corpse in place, because the whole swarm will fly off its smell, which is fraught with serious consequences. The bites of this insect are very painful, they are highly toxic, and the spread of poison throughout the body occurs instantly. If a wasp of this kind stung you, then swelling will instantly appear on the affected area, the inflammatory process will go along with acute pain. Common symptoms: the appearance of a headache, a strong heartbeat, a sharp dizziness, shortness of breath. There are cases of anaphylactic shock with a fatal outcome. So, dear summer residents, do not risk it - if you find a hornet's nest in your area, go away and immediately call specialists.
Biggest aboutsa
In the southeast of the island of Sulawesi , a team of scientists worked during the 2011 summer expedition. They discovered the largest wasp, which was named Dalara garuda in honor of the national symbol of Indonesia - the mythical chimera. Males of this species of flying individuals reach 7 cm in length and have huge jaws, which in closed form can bend around the whole head of a bee. Nature rewarded them with such “nippers” for protection against opponents, for convenient mating with females, and, of course, for chewing food. If the insect feels danger, it immediately attacks its prey first, leaving deep bites on its body.