The Needle Wasp is a destructive, immense insect from South-East Asia. They have only recently been discovered post-earthquake in Japan. Some witnesses stated that the wasp caused as much damage as the earthquake did! Do you know how the Needle Wasp earned it’s name?

The most fascinating thing about the Needle Wasp is that scientists believe that the it shares genetic traits with the Yellow Jacket Wasp, however, just like dogs and wolves, these wasps forged their own paths in evolution.

Primary Senses

The Needle Wasp has long antennae that pick up scent, heat and vibration. It’s antennae give it an advantage: long-range. Nest invaders may think that they are entering undetected, however the wasps are one step ahead and are poised to attack. The wasps swarm the invader and swiftly sting and kill it. The Needle Wasp is triumphant most of the time.

Diet and Migration

The Needle Wasp’s diet consists of larvae and leaves. Generally, the Needle Wasp eats ant larvae but they can eat any: including their own! They usually feed in larger numbers guaranteeing a meal for them and their queen: it is always effective. Migration- the wasp queen migrates to Australia right before monsoon season but still hibernates there. This is considered unusual and is a controversy in the scientific community. It is debated whether the Needle wasp migrates to hibernate as Japanese scientists might have evidence to suggest otherwise… What do you think?

A Sharp Stinger

This is how the Needle Wasp earned it’s name. It has a strong, sword-like stinger that contains noxious venom. The scariest thing about it’s sting is that it causes swelling, sweating and fever. The most interesting thing about the Needle Wasp’s sting is that it can cut through lead like a knife to butter. Scientists have discovered that cannabis and paracetamol both effectively numb the pain.

Scientist still do not know much about this insect. Want to help fund research? Go to www.researchawaspdonate.co.uk.

Scott opened his eyes. Instantly, he was hit with a blinding light as though he was staring at the sun. He sat up. He was in a hallway, but this was no ordinary hallway. It was a hallway of countless doors as far as the eye could see. The walls of the hallway were purist white and so was the floor and ceiling. Warmth greeted his fingertips on the floor. Another surprise! Scott also felt comfort as the floor was pillow soft. He felt he was on a comfort cosy bed in a five star hotel. Scott forced himself to stand up.

He now focused his attention on the doors. Behind a blue door, he imagined a colourful meadow soaked in sunlight and littered with daises  bluebells, buttercups and roses; red, pink and white. Behind another green door, he imagined a marsh practising is nightly routine as dragonflies buzzed around like angry bees.

“Hello, are you lost? I can help you but only if you solve my riddle.”

“Who are you?” cried Scott.

“I am a guardian of doors,” “ want to try my riddle?”  asked the guardian.

“Yes,” Scott answered simply.

After clearing his throat, he began, “what look up to the sun, soaking it in, and named after the object you drink hot beverages?”

Scott had to mull it over. He had only accepted the riddle because he was so desperate for help. He thought it was obvious but it was like a butterfly waiting to be caught, hiding in plain sight. He wondered: What looks up to the sun, soaking it in.

Scott suddenly knew. It was a flower! That is named after the object you drink hot beverages in a cup! A flower and a cup. A cup flower? Could it be? A buttercup? He only had one chance and he was going to take it.

“A buttercup,” Scott said hopefully.

“Correct, go to the black door and open it.”

He stared at the black door now in front of him. He hesitated. Reluctantly, he turned the knob… three doors: a yellow door, an orange door and a pink door. He went through the yellow one because he just knew it was the right one.

He was back in the emporium. No. Actually, he was back home in his room. What an experience! He was relieved to be back home. Scott yawned loudly.

Chapter 3 A Surprise Encounter!

Scott found himself in an ancient Egyptian tomb: intricate, precious and treasure-worthy crowns stood on sandstone pedistals like a display in a museum; glittering, shimmering gemstones were gleaming in huge, overflowing chests; silver cats shone like stars with rubies for eyes.

Scott started to think: Who would abandon all this treasure? He also remembered that he needed to get back to the emporium.

Scott spotted something among the silver and the gold: it was a brass handle! Could this be his way out? He turned the ancient handle and… nothing happened. It seemed passage would come later.

“My precious,” croaked a voice, “manthing stole it,” the voice now growled.

“Hello!” shouted Scott, looking around for the source of the voice.

There was no reply. Only silence. He tried turning the handle again…

Scott exited the tomb of treasure. Finally! He was free! But then, without warning, cutting his celebration short: a hiss! Scott turned a corner and there it was. A small serpent. Crimson eyes. Emerald tail. Fangs as long as fingers hung from the roof of it’s mouth.

The snake sank it’s fangs into Scott’s hand. His vision be came blurry. He fell unconscious…

Scott couldn’t rip his gaze from the elegant, engraved golden skull. Even with the presence of the shopkeeper looming over him like an ominous shadow, he motioned to pick it up again. The shopkeeper…

“Please put that down, young man,” the shopkeeper implored, “Put that down,” he hissed, losing patience.

They hear the sound of smashing china in the next room. Once the shopkeeper had disappeared behind the curtains, Scott took his chance. He was now alone with the magnificent skull: he picks it up…

“Finally,” sighed Scott. A tearing and shredding as though of paper filled his ears. The world around him seemed to tear like a photograph. Scott was paralysed, he couldn’t even close his eyes. He felt a sensation as though of falling from a tall building, then he felt heat like the desert sun. Scott tasted sweat in his mouth.

Stuffiness, dust and sand. Out of the corner of his eye, Scott spotted a golden face whose eyes stared unblinkingly at something he couldn’t see. Scott looked around and stared at glittering, marvellous, crimson rubies. He also spotted Gold and a hint of silver, it was like a river overflowing.

Scott recognised that the face he saw earlier was a mummy…

Scott was always a target for trouble. Even though he was well behaved, everywhere he went, the dart of trouble always hit the bullseye.

One summer’s evening, Scott was just about to go indoors after a stroll when he closed his eyes… instead of breathing in evening air, he smelled molding bread and gunpowder. Where was he?

Everywhere Scott looked, random items littered the room. A pearl lay on a velvet cussion, shiny, irreplaceable. A box, magical and mysterious, stood in a corner. Another glance, a teapot: intricate and antique. Was there tea inside? Then, something caught Scott’s eye: a golden skull! Just as he took it, whispers filled his ears, ‘Those worthy of the golden skull shall receive infinite power: you are unworthy.’ 

“I see you have found my skull, a fine treasure, however it is not yours to take.” Scott put the skull down and backed away…

There are places no-one dare enter. The Emporium of Enigmas and Excellence was one such place.

Perhaps, everyone thought a terrible force hid inside. Perhaps, everyone wanted their children to stay out of trouble. Perhaps there lurked a misleading black kitten sure to bring misfortune to anyone who encountered it. Perhaps, there lurked also an immense spider. But was that really true? The Emporium was an enigma of superstitious rumour. Until the incident…