2 1/2 Inch Giant "Warrior Wasp" Found in Indonesia

This is one brutal looking Wasp recently found in Indonesia...and at 2.5 inches long, it's huge.

I would hate to be stung by that thing.

www.guardian.co.uk...

A fearsome giant 'warrior wasp' discovered in a tropical forest in Indonesia uses its huge jaws to grab hold of its mate

Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology at the University of California in Davis, has discovered a 2.5in wasp that has jaws longer than its front legs and a particularly fierce appearance. The description of the species is not yet published so its scientific name is not official, but Kimsey will name it Garuda, after the national symbol of Indonesia – a mythological, part-human, part-eagle warrior that has wide wings, great speed and superb fighting skills.

Her Garuda, which she describes as the Komodo dragon of wasps, was collected in the Mekongga Mountains on Sulawesi island, which, like Australia and Madagascar, has an inordinate percentage of species found nowhere else on earth. As curator of a collection with half-a-million wasps from around the world, Kimsey instantly knew that this beast was unusual.

Wow that thing is huge!

I'm allergic to bees and wasps, I'd hate to run into one of these!

I do find the whole wasp/bee kingdom and how they operate very interesting though.

Interesting find. Endangered species? Or was there an entire hive?

reply to post by isyeye


it looks evil, i would like to take a microscope and look at it from there lol, imagine bugs a size of a foot, we will be all killed

That thing is scary!

Awesome! You know, I don't find wasps aggressive. I used to sun with a nest a foot away in a wall. They would fly over my back the entire time. Was never stung or bothered in the least.

Originally posted by mblahnikluver
Wow that thing is huge!

I'm allergic to bees and wasps, I'd hate to run into one of these!

I do find the whole wasp/bee kingdom and how they operate very interesting though.

Bees and ants show an amazing propensity for working together (with their own kind). They are not only extremely productive and friendly, they also have a fantastic defense. Ants will swarm enemies, and bees simply sting them.

nice find and proper evil looking, but doesnt really suprise me. there's other wasps, hornets and bees that size.

i remember when i was on holiday when i was younger i heard this drill noise coming from the bathroom, went in to have a look what the noise was and it was a 4+ inch hornet hovering in the middle of the room... i shut the door pretty quick!

Wow That is a fierce looking beast.

Originally posted by elouina
Awesome! You know, I don't find wasps aggressive. I used to sun with a nest a foot away in a wall. They would fly over my back the entire time. Was never stung or bothered in the least.

Yeah they only attack folks who flap their arms about-If you don't act panicked or try to swat them,they leave you alone in my experience.

reply to post by isyeye


Wow! That thing is cool!

To think I thought Australia was the home of everything deadly all designed to scratch, claw, kick, bite, sting, and eat you, we get this, and it's NOT from Australia.

I'm surprised this wasn't discovered long time ago. The size of that thing you could pick it up on radar.

Now if you could only tame them, and take them out on 'walks' tethered to a leash, that would be cooler.

Maan that thing is a beast, tellin ya now shutting your windows won't keep that Titan out!

It would be very intresting to know more about there venom and if they are specific hurters. I wonder if they have huge nest with lots of them like the red wasp here in the southern US.

Originally posted by elouina
Awesome! You know, I don't find wasps aggressive. I used to sun with a nest a foot away in a wall. They would fly over my back the entire time. Was never stung or bothered in the least.

One thing I've noticed, is that if you have a nest near by, you're fairly safe from the evil little blighters. We had a nest above the roller shutter at work, and didn't get a single wasp in the building all year, but as soon as it was gone, enter all wandering killer evil wasps. Same thing at home, had a huge nest right outside the window, and not one wasp ever came inside. Nest gone, hello wappits.

Now, I am a MASSIVE waspaphobe, hanging's too good for'em ect. I've tried not flapping my arms, but they can smell my fear (or BO, not sure which) and still attack me. I would litterally poo in my pants if I saw this bad boy wasp anywhere near me. It's not even like you could run away, it'd probably pick you up and carry you back to the nest, for you to be devoured by the larvea *shudders*

*puts Indonesia on places to never visit* (it's a long list)

reply to post by nineix


If I recall correctly Indonesia and Australia used to be part of the same landmass, so don't feel bad

oh thanks,,


you just found my best friend.........



very interesting bug i must say and man is it UGLY

I found an additional picture of the Warrior Wasp

A tarantula hawk

In regards to wasps etc not attacking you, I think when we panick at the sight of these critters don't we release some sort of pheromone that reacts to the wasps that makes them sting?? From memory I think that if we attack a wasp they spray a pheromone which essentially "paints" us as an enemy so then they all attack?
I remember fishing with my brother once and he tried to swat a wasp, then he ended being chased by heaps. I lolled.

reply to post by Acidtastic


If wasps could talk... "Put the nest back.. Got the message? What, still no nest? Well we will just take yours..."