Red wasp

Obsolete: This article refers to an aspect of the game which has been removed. It is retained for historical reference only.

A huge red wasp with a viciously barbed stinger. Potent paralytic poison drips from its tip.

For a list of all arthropods, see list of arthropods.

Useful Info

Red wasps are some of the most dangerous flying insects. Their poisonous stings can also paralyze you, leaving you defenseless unless you have poison resistance or an amulet of stasis. They can be found in the Depths, the Swamp, and the Spider's Nest.

Never fight them in an area that allows you to be surrounded. Paralysis is bad enough when you only have to worry about one wasp.
You can summon your own red wasps by drawing the Foxfire card. Summoned red wasps are immensely powerful against most natural monsters and even some unnatural ones. Two particularly good locations for creating your own swarm are the Vaults:5 opening and while fighting Antaeus.
If you encounter one and have no poison resistance, zapping it with a wand of polymorph other may be a good idea. They are quite likely to turn into something less dangerous. Their mediocre magic resistance also makes other status effect-inflicting wands, as well as most Hexes, quite effective against them.

Red wasps were retired in 0.16, and replaced with hornets.

Prior to 0.8, their paralysis effect could stack. They were near-certain death to anyone stung without the proper defenses.