Terrifying pictures show huge wasp nests that could grow to the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, according to experts who have even counted 500,000 insects inside just ONE
- Researchers have released photos of massive wasp nests discovered in Alabama
- Nests are known as perennial yellow jacket nests with about 15,000 wasps inside
- One nest that was recently discovered has at least 500,000 wasps in it
- A normal wasp nest houses 4,000 to 5,000 workers insects, researchers say
Alabama researchers have released terrifying photos that show massive wasp nests that could grow to the size of a Volkswagen Beetle.
According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System there are ‘super nests’ filled with 15,000 yellow jackets in Alabama.
One nest that was recently discovered has at least 500,000 wasps inside.
Researchers noted that more than 90 ‘super nests’, also known as perennial yellow jacket nests, were found in Alabama in 2006.
They believe that in 2019, parts of the state will see a similar occurrence. A total of 15 nests have been found in Alabama so far.
Alabama researchers have released terrifying photos that show massive wasp nests that could get up to the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. This yellow jacket nest is seen hanging from the outside of a home in Alabama
According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System there are ‘super nests’ (one pictured) filled with 15,000 yellow jackets in Alabama. One nest that was recently discovered has at least 500,000 wasps inside
Researchers noted that more than 90 ‘super nests’, also known as perennial yellow jacket nests (pictured inside a car), were found in Alabama in 2006. They believe that in 2019, parts of the state will see a similar occurrence. A total of 15 nests have been found in Alabama so far
Charles Ray, an entomologist working with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said: ‘We confirmed two nests in May and have indications of a third.’
‘This puts us several weeks earlier than in 2006, when we identified the first giant nest on June 13,’ he added.
‘If we are seeing them a month sooner than we did in 2006, I am very concerned that there will be a large number of them in the state. The nests I have seen this year already have more than 10,000 workers and are expanding rapidly,’ Ray said.
The perennial nests develop after milder winters combined with an abundant food supply that allow some colonies to survive and enter spring with larger numbers.
Researchers said these massive colonies may also have multiple queens.
According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, normal yellow jacket nests are usually located in the ground or a cavity.
The perennial nests (pictured) develop after milder winters combined with an abundant food supply that allow some colonies to survive and enter spring with larger numbers
According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, normal yellow jacket nests are usually located in the ground or a cavity. In the winter, most of the 4,000 to 5,000 worker wasps don’t survive the cold, which prompts the queens to leave and form new colonies
The super nests begin to form when a good amount of the worker wasps (pictured) survive the milder winters and are able to double their population in the spring
In the winter, most of the 4,000 to 5,000 worker wasps don’t survive the cold. That prompts the queens to leave and form new colonies in the spring.
The super nests begin to form when a good amount of the worker wasps survive the milder winters and are able to double their population for the spring.
Perennial nests may be several feet wide and can be found attached to the outside of homes, garages and sheds.
Ray said he has counted about 15,000 wasps in a single nest.
‘However, one nest in South Carolina was documented with more 250,000 workers,’ he said.
Researchers have warned residents to no disturb the nests because every wasp sting can increase a person’s chances of becoming sensitive to the venom and suffering a reaction, which could be fatal in some cases.