Species in news

Context: The Northern Giant Hornet, which is nicknamed as the “Murder Hornet” has been eradicated in the United States of America.

Relevance of the Article: Prelims: Key facts about Muder Hornet.

The Northern Giant Hornet - Murder Hornet

Physical Description:

• It is the largest wasp species in the world measuring up to 2 inches long.
• While the queen can reach up to 50 mm (2 inches) in length, the bodies of female workers and male drones are generally somewhat smaller.

• Other Names: Murder Hornet / Japanese giant hornet
• Habitat: Native to subtropical and temperate mountainous regions of Asia, including northern India, Korean peninsula, and Japan.
• Nesting: They build nests underground, often in rotted pine roots or tunnels made by burrowing animals like rodents or snakes. They rarely build nests in human structures.
• Food Habits: Tree resin, nectar, honey, soft fruits, mushrooms, beetles and other insects, and spiders. They are known to attack colonies of wasps and bees, including honeybee hives.

Why are they called Murder Hornet?

• This invasive species was first reported in Washington state (USA) in 2019, and immediately steps were taken to get rid of it as it poses threat to bees and agriculture.
  • Due to their co-evolution, the Eastern honeybees of Asia can defend themselves against northern giant hornets. If a hornet worker enters their hive, they surround it until it is at the center of a ball of bees, at which point the bees buzz and flap their wings to generate enough heat to kill the hornet. 
  • However, domestic honeybees of the US have no such defense against northern giant hornets. It can kill an entire beehive of honeybees in just 90 minutes.
• Thus, they have been dubbed as “Murder Hornets”, as in North America it sparked fears that the destruction of colonies of domestic honeybees could negatively affect agriculture and the U.S. economy.

Threat to Humans: 

• They generally do not attack people unless it feels threatened.
  • The long stingers can pierce protective clothing, including beekeeper suits.
  • They deliver venom that is more toxic than that of the other species of bees and wasps.  
  • They do not lose their stingers and can thus sting repeatedly. 
• The sting can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic response in humans. 
  • Even if a person is not allergic, the sting is extremely painful and can be crippling or deadly if a swarm attacks. 
  • They first came into the spotlight in 2013, when they killed at least 42 people in China and seriously injured 1675.
  • Roughly 30 to 50 people die each year in Japan from northern giant hornet stings, usually due to allergic reactions. 

Context: Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat, a rare bat species, has been spotted in Delhi's DDA Yamuna Biodiversity Park.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Bats; Role of Bats. 

About Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat

• Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat is a rare species of bat.  
• Physical Appearance: Large size, prominent ears, bicolored velvety fur.

• Habitat: 
  • The species has been found/sighted in just three locations globally:
    • a single breeding colony in the Western Ghats.
    • small colonies in Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills.
    • A single individual was recorded in Cambodia.
  • It primarily roosts in caves or dark, damp spaces in moderate colony sizes. 
• Feeding habits: Consumes a variety of insects. It is capable of flying long distances while foraging.
• IUCN Status: Data deficient as little is known about their habitat, ecology, or foraging range.

Key Facts about Bats:

• Bats are the only flying mammals. In winter, bats go into hibernation. 
• Role of Bats:
  • Insectivorous bats are vital in controlling insect populations, consuming millions of insects at night. 
  • Frugivorous bats contribute to pollination and seed dispersal, supporting plant species across various habitats.
  • Bat droppings are one of the richest fertilizers.
• The majority of bats are nocturnal species (awake at night). (Not all bats are nocturnal) They can locate their prey (insects) by emitting inaudible high-pitched sounds and listening to the echoes. This is called echolocation.
• Flying foxes (Fruit bats) are the largest bats, some attaining a wingspan of 1.5 metres (5 feet) with a head and body length of about 40 cm.
• There are three species of blood-sucking bats. They tend to prey on livestock like cattle and horses (attacks on humans are very rare).

Context: As per a new study, moths can hear sounds emitted by plants and rely on them to choose on which plant to lay their eggs.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims- Key facts about Moths. 

What are Moths?

• Moths are a group of insects and are members of the order Lepidoptera (same order as Butterflies). 
• There are approximately 160,000 species of moth. Being highly adapted species, they are found in all climate types, except polar habitats.
• Most species of moth are nocturnal, though there are also some diurnal species.
• Appearance: 
  • Moths vary in size (ranging in wingspan from about 4 mm to nearly 30 cm). 
  • The majority of moths have dull wing colors, but there exist many species with spectacular colors.
    • The insect, often considered as the most beautiful insect in the world, is a day-flying moth (The Sunset Moth) from Madagascar.
  • Moths can usually be distinguished from butterflies by their antennae, which are typically threadlike or feathery; in contrast butterflies have club-tipped antennae.
• Some moths (particularly their caterpillars) can be major agricultural pests in many parts of the world. E.g., Corn borers and bollworms.
• Like many other species, moths are affected by the changing climate, as it alters the timing and growth of their food plants.