The Red Paper Wasp is Colloquially Called “Maribunta,” “Malibunta,” and “Marabunta”

Published: 22nd of June, 2024 by Patrick Carpen

Have you ever had a firsthand encounter with this critter? Trust me, they are terrible! This is called the red wasp or the red paper wasp. They are prolific in Guyana especially along the coastal areas. In Guyana, the locals call them marabunta, maribunta, or malibunta, although I’m not sure of the etymology of the colloquial expressions.

These critters are dangerous. They deliver a painful sting that often causes sever swelling of the area stung. Often, the sting breaks off in the victim’s flesh causing more pain. The sting is sometimes surgically removed from the body. The red wasp often aims for the eyes because the movement of the eyes attracts them.

The red paper wasp is territorial. It perceives anything coming close to its nest as a mortal threat. Therefore it attacks anything that comes close to it whether dog, cat, donkey, or human. The red paper wasp will fly down and deliver a sting before escaping. If you come close to a nest, you are likely to get attacked by several of them.

The red paper wasp usually takes up shelter under houses by building nests under the external extensions of roofs and ceilings. If a house is left abandoned, it is sometimes infested by red wasps.

Most Guyanese were stung by one of these at some point in time. Were you?