Name/s: Philippine Irukandji, Malo filipina
Scientific name: Malo filipina
Class: Cubozoa
Description: They can be distinguished from other box jellies by their size which is between 30 and 40 mm (1.18-1.57 in). And also the location of their nematocysts, those of which are located equally spaced on the bell. Because of how transparent and small they are, it is very difficult to identify them.
Habitat: Western Pacific (mainly off the coast of the Philippines)
Threat: Very dangerous to humans
Treatment: Immediately flush the area with vinegar to deactivate undischarged nematocysts (the venom) to prevent release of additional venom. Put a heat pack on anywhere painful and take Nitroglycerin to delay and manage the on-set of symptoms.
Fun fact: the name Malo comes from the first two letters of Mark Longhurst, a man who survived a severe sting from the Malo genus. It also coincidentally means “bad” in Spanish
- copula sivickisi - sea wasp, marine stinger, box jellyfish ( taytay bay, palawan )
References