This wasp can pose a threat to air traffic

Australian researchers led by ecologist Alan House have shown that a species of wasp and its nests can block important tools and thus cause accidents.

The study published in the specialized journal “Plos One” deals specifically with the so-called keyhole wasp (Pachodynerus nasidens). The species is normally native to Central and South America, the Caribbean and the southern United States, but has also been found in Australia for some time.

From November 2013 to April 2019, wasp-related issues were reported a total of 26 times at Brisbane Airport, mainly in connection with Pitot tubes (also known as Pitot tubes), which are extremely important to l airplane. These mainly provide information on speed and altitude. According to the researchers, these were “serious security incidents”.

Particularly active in hot temperatures

Keyhole wasps often build their nests in artificial cavities such as window crevices, sockets or keyholes, but also in other suitable places, such as the Pitot tube. In order to research the behavior of the insects, the team built replicas of the aircraft’s instruments using 3D printing technology and placed them in various locations around the airport.

The patterns were observed between February 2016 and April 2019. The result: Pitot tubes were completely blocked 93 times. All nests came from keyhole wasps. Many nests had only two or three brood cells and were built within hours. The wasps were particularly active in the summer months and at temperatures between 24 and 31 degrees.

Control strategies needed

The results showed that keyhole wasps are “intelligent but also dangerous pests” that pose a significant risk to flight safety, according to the authors. The species has arrived in Australia, has adapted to the environment and could probably spread further.

Therefore, more research is now needed to develop strategies to control or eradicate “this adaptable, inventive and highly mobile species”. “We hope this research draws attention to a little known but serious problem affecting air travel in tropical and subtropical regions.”