Things that Sting

Saturday, 18 October 2014 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

October is Stamp Collecting Month in Australia. The stamp collectors are en

couraged to continue their favourite hobby while newcomers are encouraged to start. Aus Post celebrates the Stamp Collecting Month with the release of a stamp issue with a special theme. It all began back in 1993 when Australia Post released the Australian Dinosaur Era stamp issue. 2012 was a very special year as Aus Post celebrated the 20th Stamp Collecting Month issue with the theme ‘Australian Zoos’.

The theme this year is ‘Things that Sting’ featuring several species of insects, reptiles and fish that sting or bite as a form of defence. Some have been identified as extremely dangerous and can be fatal for humans. Though others also sting to give severe pain, they rarely inflict serious damage. The ones featured in the special issue can pack a painful punch if disturbed or threatened. European Wasp The relatively small, between one and one-and-a-half centimetres in size, about the size of a honey bee, the European Wasp (Vespulagermanica) can be identified by its bright yellow and black striped abdomen, black antennae and a pair of black spots on each yellow stripe. They fly with their legs close to their body. They live in large communal nests made from chewed wood fibre, normally only visible as a small entrance hole in wall cavities, ceilings, logs or trees. Worker wasps from the nest search for food, and are attracted to meats, sweet food and sweet liquids. Sometimes they can be spotted in homes looking for something special. The wasp is native to Europe, North Africa and Asia and is regarded as a pest in Australia. The European Wasp is aggressive and can sting repeatedly, especially if their nests are disturbed. The sting is painful and can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Bull Ant The Bull Ant (genus Myrmecia) can be identified by its large eyes, long slender mandibles (the strongest and lowest bone in the face), and a potent venom-loaded sting. They are often brightly coloured in shades of red and orange on the head or abdomen. The ant is quite large in size, with some reaching up to four centimetres in length. They live underground in extensive tunnel networks, but their nest will typically be identified by a dirt mound. To feed the colony the ants collect nectar and other plant juices, as well as animal prey, which they carry back to the nest. Australia is home to around 90 species of Bull Ants. The Bull Ant is typically aggressive and has excellent eye sight, able to track or even follow intruders from a distance of one metre

Tiger Snake The Tiger Snake (genus Noteschis) can be identified by distinctive black and yellow cross bands, giving the snake its name, but can vary in colouration and even pattern. It has large semi-glossy scales, and varies in size between one to two metres in length. They live in watery environments close to creeks, dams, and drains, and often shelter under fallen timber or in abandoned animal burrows. Unlike many other species, Tiger Snakes climb well on both vegetation and man-made constructions, and have been found as high as ten metres above the ground. The Tiger Snake enjoys a diet that includes fish, frogs and tadpoles, lizards, birds and mammals. They hunt for prey mainly during daylight hours and often search underwater for food, staying under for at least nine minutes without a breath. It is generally shy, preferring escape over conflict, but if threatened can become aggressive. Its highly toxic venom makes it extremely dangerous to humans, and anyone who suspects they may have been bitten must see a doctor immediately.

Common Lionfish The Common Lionfish (Pteroisvolitans) can be identified by red and black bands on a pale background on both its body and beautiful, long pectoral and dorsal fins. It usually has a tentacle above both eyes and the adults have white spots along the lateral line (the back of the body). The Common Lionfish has 13 extremely venomous fin spines, and grows to around 38 centimetres in length. It inhabits coral and rocky reefs up to a depth of about 50 metres. Lionfish hunt in small groups, and use their fins to herd small prey fish before snapping them up. The fin spines can inflict extremely painful wounds. Divers are most likely to encounter Lionfish, and as these fish tend to be aggressive they are advised to avoid them. Stonefish The Stonefish, also called Reef Stonefish (Synaceiaverucosa), is an unattractive fish that can be identified by its rough, warty, mottled skin that camouflages the fish perfectly when it rests against algae-covered rocks. They are usually brown or grey in colour and may have patches of yellow, orange or red. It has 13 strong dorsal fin spines, and can grow to about 35 centimetres in length. It usually lives on coral bottoms and under rocks or ledges, but they are also known to be able to bury themselves in sand using their large pectoral fins. The Stonefish eats fish and crustaceans. It usually waits for prey to swim past, and then strikes with incredible speed. They are commonly found throughout the Indo-Pacific, and in Australia found on the Great Barrier Reef down to far northern New South Wales. The Reef Stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world. The camouflaged body makes it difficult to see in shallow water, making it prone to being stepped on. The dorsal fin spines can inject agonisingly painful and extremely toxic venom into the body. Bluespotted Fantail Ray The Bluespotted Fantail Ray (Taenuralymna) can be identified by its colouration of electric blue spots on yellow, on its body and pelvic fins and two blue stripes on its tail. Like most species it has a long, thin tail equipped with two very sharp spines. It is comparatively small compared to other rays, growing to a length of 70 centimetres and 35 centimetres in width. They migrate in large schools into shallow water to feed on molluscs on the rising tide. On the falling tide the rays move back into deeper water to shelter under ledges and in caves. Around 80 species of Stingray are found throughout the world, including 22 in Australia. The Bluespotted Fantail Ray is found around coral reefs in shallow tropical waters from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the northern coast of New South Wales. Most stings occur when a Stingray is stepped on in shallow water, and the creature responds by arching its tail over the back and stabbing the spine into a foot or leg. The barbed venomous spines can inflict painful wounds, and in some cases can be fatal.