Executioner Wasps

Really, there’s nothing much about them, those executioner wasps. But the little that’s known draws great fears about them-their relatively big size and sting tremendously huge and painful. The executioner wasps run exclusively in Central and South America. This solo wasp further earns its place in description due to its very very bright and bold yellow and black coloration, as well as its powerful mandibles. While he generally preys on caterpillars and other insects, the executioner wasps gained notoriety as being among the most painfully stinging insects in the world. Although it’s intimidating in its reputation, it seldom prefers feeding its victims with its sting, unless provoked. In its biodiversity, it is also an important factor in pest control and pollination.

Appearance

• In the same vein, just as any other animal, the appearance of Polistes carnifex depends on the characteristics of its species.
• These are among the largest paper wasps. Size range is from 1.3 to 1.5 inches (3.3 to 3.8 cm) in length for adults.
• These wasps have bright yellow or golden-yellow bodies with some areas brownish to reddish markings.
• Very slim wasp waist, long legs dangling while in flight.
• Their wings are transparent brown, neatly folded in half upon resting.
• The head appears relatively large with very powerful mandibles and prominent black eyes.

Characteristics

• Species: Polistes carnifex (Executioner Wasps)
• Family: Vespidae (paper wasps)
• Range: This species is found in Central and South America in various realms, including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Paraguay.

Diet:

• Adults: The adult wasps feed on nectar and sugary fluids of plants.
• Larvae: The larvae are fed by the adult wasps on chewed-up caterpillars or other soft-bodied insects.
• Nest Type: Small open paper nests are made from wood fiber chewed into a pulp, attaching them to submerged structures like trees or vegetation.

Behavior

• Social Structure: They are eusocial insects living within colonies some of which may be small in size involving a single queen, along with many workers.
• Nest Defense: If the nest is disturbed, their attention can easily be shifted to defensive.

Sting:

Has one of the most painful insect stings: “pain produced was an immediate sharp blow, burning, now it abates and Beginning to throbTime to forget a sting from a hornet.”

Executioner Wasp Sting

As the sting is traditionally said, it would inflict severe radiation pain on the victim, emanating from within and lasting several hours, on occasion dull swelling and localized tissue damage. Though generally not fatal to most people, it does usually prove intense and is much dissimilar to the sting produced by other very notorious stinging insects. It is on account of this that it tends to be ranked very high on the insect sting pain index. Stings occur rarely and are usually just when the insect is handled or provoked. Protective clothing and caution are advised while encountering this wasp in the wild.

Executioner Wasp Pain Index

According to the executioner wasps pain index ranking, this insect falls under the biggest contenders in giving humans the most intense sting pain known. Some entomologists and adventurers who voluntarily endured the sting likened it to the pain of a bullet ant but possibly worse because of the potential for tissue damage.

Executioner Wasp Location

The executioner wasps is distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America, with special regard given to Paraguay, Brazil, and Nicaragua. They are usually found throughout wooded areas, the tree canopy, and areas with flowering plants, where they hunt and forage. Due to their shy nature and the remote areas in which they live, tourists seldom encounter them. Nevertheless, occasional sightings do occur during the work of the researchers and naturalists engaged in the study of insect biodiversity.

Executioner Wasp vs Bullet Ant

The debate of executioner wasp vs bullet ant is much discussed in the world of painful insect stings. Although the bullet ant’s sting is pain considered to be the worst throughout history, many people who have experienced both stings say the executioner wasps inflicts an even more lasting and damaging kind of pain. The bullet ant inflicts a sharp, intense sting, like an electric shock, whereas the executioner wasp’s sting may cause necrosis and tissue destruction. Both insects are ranked at the top of the sting pain index, but the sting of the executioner wasp is arguably worse because of its ability to damage the skin.

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