The wasp itself
is a vegetarian but the larvae feed only on insects and arachnids. Therefore,
as a loving mother, it is forced to hunt.
It was found that the different
genera of wasps are specified in hunting only one kind of insect or arachnid.
Their knowledge about the anatomy of the victims is incredible. Wasps know
the right places to sting; the targets are the nerve knots. For example
the prey of Cerceris wasps is always only one kind of a beetle,
Bothynodes punctiventris. Sphex wasps hunt crickets and have
to sting them exactly on three point of the body. The Ammofia feed
their larvae with caterpillars; there are 9 ganglions to paralyze in the
body of those caterpillars. However, the most selfless ones are Pompius
wasps, hunting the deadly poisonous for them tarantulas. Victims do
not die and that is essential for the larva; it is alive but motionless.
Wasps can often be seen in
the settlements of people, so a wasp sting is a common poisoning. The neurotoxin
cannot cause death but it can lead to a clinical picture equal to the one
of a honeybee sting. Wasp sting is more dangerous as a rule. It is important
to notice that the sting rarely remains in the skin and the wasp usually
flies away freely.
Preventive measures:
Destroy all Hymenopteras nests
around your living place
Keep your feet covered outdoors
Avoid bright colored clothing
and perfumery products
Prefer to wear tight that floppy
clothing
When you encounter the insect,
stand still or retreat slowly. If it lands on skin, quickly brush it off.
Use the personal first aid
kit in individuals with a history of allergy
First aid:
1. Removing the sting
2. Tightening up the limb
above the affected place
3. Treatment of the wound
with tap water or antiseptic solution and applying a cold compress
4. Antihistamine (antiallergenic)
medicines in severe cases
5. Intravenous corticosteroids
and subcutaneous adrenaline in cases with anaphylactic shock
