The giant scolia is the largest representative of its family and of the entire order of Hymenoptera in the fauna of Europe. It can also be classified as one of the largest insects in Russia, said Tikhon Firsov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Moscow region. It was recently included in the updated list of fauna in the Moscow region, which indicates the status of permanent presence of this species in the region.
“The giant wasp is a very beautiful, bright wasp and, unlike any other insect, it is an important link in the food chain and ecosystem of the region, serving as a pollinator and controller of the number of beetles in the emergence of this hymenopteran. The region is associated with favorable living conditions for it, namely, with the availability of food for the development of larvae and adults,” added Tikhon Firsov.
According to entomologists, there is no need to be afraid of them: scolias lead a solitary lifestyle and do not create colonies, unlike other wasps. In addition, these hymenopteran insects will not crawl into your plate and will not take away a ripe melon, watermelon or a piece of kebab – after all, they feed only on plant nectar, the main food plants of insects are: umbelliferae, onions and asters, but they especially love the Spanish artichoke. Despite their peaceful nature, isolated way of life and a certain diet, you should not touch or offend them, because, like all wasps, they have a poisonous sting, which is used only in case of self-defense or when it is necessary to continue their race.
