Hornet nests (Vespa crabro) in the area of Łódź - preliminary analysis of the distribution

Preliminary results of investigation on the distribution of nests of the hornet within the area of Łódź in 1998 and 1999 are given. 25 nests in 1998 and only 8 nests in 1999 was found (8 8% of nests was found in buildings).Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Factors restricting the abundance of wasp colonies of the European hornet Vespa crabro and the Saxon wasp Dolichovespula saxonica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in an urban area in Poland

Various factors affecting the reproductive success of Vespacrabro and Dolichovespula saxonica (Vespinae), including their parasitoids, parasites, pathogens and other micro organisms accompanying their nests in the city of Lódz in Poland were investigated. Sphecophaga vesparum, Aphomia sociella and especially Quedius brevicornis, whose larvae cause destruction of wasp nests, were recorded. Totally 19 species or groups of bacteria, including pathogens like Pseudomon aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, and 5 species of fungi were identified. Cities create very good conditions for wasp societies. Unfortunately, their presence can cause specific but important risks to humans, which lead to massive destruction of wasp nests. However, this does not cause considerable decrease in the number of colonies of common wasp species but less abundant species may be endangered in cities by this practice. It is thus recommended to limit the number of all wasp nests destroyed and to discriminate between the species

Badania nad średniowiecznymi militariami prowadzone w ramach Katedry Archeologii Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego

Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Differentiation of toxicity properties of some social aculeate venoms (Hymenoptera, Aculeata)

Results of the investigations of toxicity properties of some social Aculeata venoms were presented. The action of crude venoms of six aculeate species: Apis mellifera, Bomhus sp., Vespa crabro, Vespula germanica, Vespula vulgaris, Polistes sp. on human erythrocytes, larvas of Calliphora sp. and new-born Mus musculus was investigated in order to determine the hemolytic potency and complete toxicity of different aculeate venoms. Hemolityc potency was defined by quantity of free hemoglobin released under the influence of venom. Investigations were realized for concentrating different of venoms and different time of incubation. The complete toxicity of venoms there was determined by toxical value DL₅₀ (dosis lethaly). Aculeate venoms to appear as a strong toxical substances and their composition and function depend on constitution and function of the aculeate venom apparatus.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Phenology of European Hornet, Vespa crabro L. and Saxon Wasps, Dolichovespula saxonica Fabr. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and the Influence of the Weather on the Reproductive Success of Wasps Societies in Urban Conditions

In subsequent years, changes in the period of colonies activity for both species of wasps were observed as well as the longer period of development of wasp societies in the city than in the forest. There was not found a clear influence of weather conditions in winter on date of colonies initiation. However, low temperatures and rainfall in May caused delaying the initiation of nesting. The temperature in winter had a little impact on the number of queens that survived the winter and established their colonies in spring, but the humidity in winter had influence on the count of queens and thereby on the number of future nests especially in the forest area

Effects of Colors and Appearance of the Potential Aggressor on Defensive Behavior of Vespa crabro L. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Colonies.

Defensive behavior of the European hornet Vespa crabro colonies were studied using the dummy and balloons in different colors. The strong aggressiveness level of hornet's workers was caused by dark colors (black and brown) and orange. The colors white and green did not cause their attack. However, the strongest reactions of hornets were caused by dummy with the animal snout and dark hair on the head. Thus people who are near wasp colonies should have clothes in white or green and hair obscured but when the whole nest is eliminate, they have to have a safe outfit properly constructed

Evaluating Forcible Humanitarian Intervention in the Case of Genocide

When confronted with one of the most terrible atrocities the world has seen, we often see differing reactions from the international community. Genocide has long been a difficult topic to grapple with due to its gruesome nature and its conflicts with sovereignty. Many nations believe to intervene would be to step on the national sovereignty of the country in question, while others believe that in ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) we are obligated to intervene in the name of peacekeeping and preservation of life. What remains to be evaluated is the application of the debate for and against humanitarian intervention in such cases. Through research involving personal memoirs from key decision makers, historical accounts of the time, personal interviews, and national laws and treaties, the purpose of this research aims to discover whether the critics of such intervention bear true when responding to the brutality of genocide