The Unique Wasp in the National Nature Park
In the National Nature Park “Tuzly Lagoons” in Odesa region, a rare wasp listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and Europe, known as the giant scolia (Megascolia maculata), has been spotted. It was recently photographed on rose blossoms. This was reported on social media by park employee, Doctor of Biological Sciences Ivan Rusev.
Life Cycle and Behavior of the Giant Scolia
According to Ivan Rusev, the giant scolia leads a dual lifestyle: in its larval phase, it acts as a parasite, while in its adult phase (imago), it is a phytophagous organism that consumes plant matter. All scolias are diurnal creatures. They spend the night buried in the litter, and with the first rays of sunlight, they emerge to feed on blooming plants. Since scolias lack a long proboscis, they can only reach nectar from flowers with shallow corollas, such as asters and umbellifers.
Despite its intimidating appearance, this rare wasp poses little threat to humans. Its venom is significantly weaker than that of common wasps. The scolias use their venom not to protect their nests but to paralyze the larva of their host, such as a rhinoceros beetle, onto which they later lay their eggs. The eggs overwinter in the soil and transform into pupae in spring.
