A species of wasp that has never before been spotted in Belgium has been discover in Dessel (Antwerp Province). It is a Nysson distingeundus, and it believed to have come to Flanders via the Netherlands or Germany, where it has also been spotted.
Scientists from the nature organisation Natuurpunt found the new wasp species during a bee census at sand quarries in Dessel.
Natuurpunt’s Win Vertommen told VRT News that “It was nice for us to discover the wasp. There is another species that is very similar and at first, I thought it was that species. However further investigation revealed that it was a species that has never been spotted in the country before”.
Unique colour combination
The insect has a unique colour combination on its rear. “It has a black rear body with white dots and red bits. This is not common. In addition to this it is a very small wasp that is only half a centimetre in size”, Mr Vertommen explains.
The animal belongs to the family of so-called ‘digger wasps’. Natuurpunt says that digger wasps are very useful insects for the balance of nature. Adult female digger wasps kill other insects and bring them to their nest as food for their offspring. There are a lot of species of digger wasp that hunt aphids, while others specifically prefer flies, beetles or caterpillars.
Natuurpunt assures anyone that might be afraid of being stung not to worry as the Nysson distingeundus does not sting and as such is harmless to humans.