Giant Warrior Wasp discovered

[Bateluer]

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/an...ed-with-jaws-longer-than-its-legs?hpt=hp_bn11

Males of the new species measure two and a half inches long

The new species, dubbed a "warrior wasp" due to its huge ninja-like mandibles, is a terrifying sight up close. It is also being called the "Komodo dragon" of the wasp family due to its intimidating size. Males can measure in at over two and a half inches, jaws included.

. . . And I'm never visiting Indonesia.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Definitely one of the coolest looking insects I've seen.

 

[flvinny521]

Ninjas have mandibles?

I'm signing up for a karate class.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Next week on Two and a Half Inch Wasps, Charlie messes with the wrong Queen Bee...

 

[BudAshes]

I believe killing it with fire would be most appropriate in this case.

 

[Jeff7]

"There's talk of forming a biosphere reserve to preserve this."

I'd sooner make the biosphere to keep it contained.


And if that's how nasty its jaws are, what about its sting?

 

[zinfamous]

does that thing turn into a Decepticon?

 

[dainthomas]

Another article:

http://news.yahoo.com/newly-discovered-warrior-wasp-giant-jaws-000605482.html

"We don't really know what the male jaws are for," Kimsey told LiveScience. "However, in another species in the genus, the males hang out in the nest entrance. This serves to protect the nest from parasites and nest robbing, and for this he exacts payment from the female by mating with her every time she returns to the nest.

 

[slayer202]

Great close-up shot that shows no scale whatsoever :\

 

[911paramedic]

Great close-up shot that shows no scale whatsoever :\

 

[spidey07]

I, for one, welcome our monumentally massive mandible overlords.

 

[Ns1]

WTF

 

[slayer202]

snip

:thumbsup:

That is a big mofo

 

[busydude]

Obligatory.

 

[MotF Bane]

I'd like to see a handful of those go up against a swarm of conventional wasps.

 

[Arkaign]

 

[spaceman]

cazadors

 

[WelshBloke]

I believe killing it with fire would be most appropriate in this case.

I'm thinking that nuking it from orbit might be pertinent.

 

[spidey07]

ATOT is slacking...

 

[Anonemous]

Bug wars: put that up against the japanese giant hornet.

 

[spidey07]

Bug wars: put that up against the japanese giant hornet.

I think the mandibles would give Warrior Wasp the advantage. Plus his body looks like freaking armor.

 

[SonicIce]

 

[jhansman]

Ha, and we were worried about killer bees back in the 90s. If these things get organized....

 

[JMahon]

Looks like some shit out of a Batman flick.

 

[fralexandr]

it would've been cool if they had a size comparison with the tarantula hawk (wasp), since tarantula hawks are pretty big as well

also dobsonflies have big mandibles too, their bite doesn't hurt too bad though.

the body length on that one is about 2.5 inches maybe just over 3" from mandible to wingtip
//the mandibles for tropical varieties are much larger and supposedly almost harmless//