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Over a period of 39 months, invasive keyhole wasps, specifically known as Pachodynerus nasidens at Brisbane airport, “were reportedly responsible for the 93 cases of” completely blocked replica pitot probes. “
These are vital tools that measure speed. This new discovery is included in a study that the open access journal PLOS ONE published on November 25.
The research was written by Alan House and colleagues from Eco Logical Australia. As these study authors noted, the results highlight the essentiality of risk mitigation tactics such as covering Pitot probes as airplanes arrive and “creating additional traps to intercept wasps.”
Essentially, a wasp is a destructive, flying and harmful insect. It has a sting and membranous front wings and hind wings.
Wasps are typically associated with ants and bees, with all being considered to be hymenoptera, although they differ from the aforementioned insects in that they have a sting, they lack hair, which bees do.
Reports on this discovery state that encounters between aircraft and wildlife are common and recurring. They also have serious consequences in terms of financial and security aspects.
(Photo: David Hablützel on Pixabay)
Over a period of 39 months, invasive keyhole wasps, specifically known as Pachodynerus nasidens at Brisbane Airport, were reportedly responsible for the 93 cases of “completely blocked replica pitot probes”.
What keyhole wasps do in Pitot probes
Despite the common occurrence, the risk posed by wildlife when planes are on the ground is far less understood, and the particular threats posed by insects have not been quantified previously.
In the new research, Hose, along with his colleagues, took a close look at the likely role of keyhole wasps in blocking Pitot probes at Brisbane airport.
Previously, at the airport, from November 2013 to April 2019, a total of 26 problems related to wasps had been reported, in relation to the serious safety events involving the Pitot probes.
In its variety native to South and Central America and the Caribbean, the wasp is popularly known for building nests through the use of artificial cavities such as window slots, power outlets, and keyholes.
In their study, the researchers used 3D printing technology to build a series of replicas of Pitot probes, which they installed in four areas of the airport.
Peak Nesting
All the nests in the aforementioned probes were reportedly made by keyhole wasps, and peak nesting took place during the summer months.
Successful nesting, meaning the proportion of live adults producing nests, was said to be optimal at 24 to 31 degrees Celsius, and probes with apertures over three millimeters in diameter have opted for.
Additionally, most of the nests were built in an airport location. The portion of grassy areas within 1000 meters of probes was a substantial predictor of nesting and the nest volume in Pitot probes can identify the sex of emerging wasps.
In connection with this, the study researchers said, P. nasidens poses a considerable risk to aviation safety and further work is essential to devise effective strategies to control or eliminate the persistent population of this adaptable, creative and highly mobile species. .
The researchers also said they hope their study draws attention to a little-known but serious problem for air travel in both tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Finally, as indicated in the study, having discovered its way across the Pacific Ocean, there is no reason to doubt that it can spread to other parts of Australia.
The consequences of managing this intelligent but dangerous parasite could certainly be substantial, the study researchers said.
READ ALSO: Scientists find over 500 “Murder Hornets”, including nearly 200 queens
Find out more news and information about Wasps in Science Times.
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