The mammoth wasp Megascolia maculate is the largest wasp species in Europe with a body length of up to 4.5 cm. In Austria, a few specimens of the mediterranean species were found in Vienna and Lower Austria at the end of the 19th century. Since then, there have been sporadic sightings in eastern Austria in recent years. Due to the current climatic warming it can be assumed that the species will spread further in Austria in the next years. In order to observe and document this, we need your help. 

As the species is still very rare in Austria and the flight time is very short, it is almost impossible to find it by active search, let alone to get an overview of the current occurrences in Austria. However, if many people keep their eyes open and observe the activity in their surroundings, success is certain, because the wasp is hard to miss!

The wasps hatch in our latitudes in June and can be observed until about mid-July. The adults feed on nectar and visit preferably blue and reddish-blue flowers from various families, such as the genus Allium, Eryngium or thistles, when foraging; they have also been observed on the common silk plant. The males, which usually hatch a week earlier, fly in search of females at a height of 50 to 150cm. The females mate fairly soon after their appearance and then search for a suitable host for oviposition: grubs of rhinoceros beetles, stag beetles, or walkers are accepted. The larvae of the mammoth wasp grow throughout the summer and then overwinter as a pupa in a cocoon, from which an adult wasp hatches again in the following early summer. 

Observations are mostly made while nectar-feeding on flowers. In Austria, the species has so far been observed on the common milkweed, hollyhock, lavender and leek. Since the beginning of the citizen science project, the red-fronted dagger wasp has already been documented at 12 sites in northeastern Austria. The westernmost sites so far are Mistelbach and Strasshof an der March.

Recognition of the mammoth wasp

Besides its considerable size of up to 4.5cm body length, the most striking features of the mainly black and bristly-haired wasp are the yellow, orange-red or red colored head with large mandibles and the yellow spots on the abdomen. The posterior part of the abdomen is covered with reddish bristles. 

Attention! There is a risk of confusion with another, smaller species, which is commonly found in our area: The hairy flower wasp (Scolia hirta) has yellow spots on the abdomen as well, but a black colored head!

© Harald Schillhammer 

Sighting reports 

Sightings of the mammoth wasp with photo, date and exact location can be reported by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Furthermore, information on the plant species is also interesting if the wasp was observed visiting flowers. 

The corresponding sighting data will be evaluated and published afterwards. 

You will receive a confirmation or correction of your identification and if you wish, you will be mentioned by name in the article. The scientific publication will be sent to all who have contributed with their data.

Project goals

The aim of the project is to monitor the spread of the mammoth wasp Megascolia maculata in Austria using data submitted by Citizen Scientists. As in several other species, changes in the distribution are related to the climatic warming. If sufficient data are acquired, the diving factors in this process will also be scientifically analyzed.

In addition, the project aims to increase awareness of the native insect fauna and its dynamics. Observing and recognizing the largest wasp in Europe can also be an impressing experience.

Gallery 

• Mammoth wasp in Austria © Franz Wieland Mammoth wasp in Austria © Franz Wieland
• Mammoth wasp on Common silk plant in Austria © Günter Gaß Mammoth wasp on Common silk plant in Austria © Günter Gaß
• Mammoth wasp on redcurrant in Austria © Gerhard Barisch Mammoth wasp on redcurrant in Austria © Gerhard Barisch
• Mammoth wasp in Austria © Gerhard Barisch Mammoth wasp in Austria © Gerhard Barisch
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Project institution 

The research project Werkstatt Neu Leopoldau is focused on the settlement process as a workshop situation for social innovations in housing and urban development, with the aim of fostering sustainable development and creating good neighbourhoods.

As an applied research project, "Werkstatt Neu Leopoldau" (Co-creation Neu Leopoldau) accompanies the settlement process of the IBA quarter in Vienna's 21st district. The phase of residents' and users' arrival in the neighbourhood is explored, which is conceived as a potential for social sustainability in Viennese housing. Using proven and new practices as a starting point, settlement processes are viewed as learning and education processes. Furthermore, it entails socially integrative potentials that should be shaped and further developed in a collaborative and co-creative setting to think about future ways of living in the neighbourhood.

In a first step, relevant topics and questions will be developed in a co-creative process based on the experiences of the actors involved. Special attention is paid to established and future social innovations in urban development (e.g. social innovations such as social support in the settlement process, community spaces, and sharing of further resources, etc.). In a synthesis step, a selection and focus on key topics are undertaken, which are then elaborated in more depth with the target groups in collaborative workshops. The aim of the innovation project is to develop transformational knowledge in a spatial context to enable and strengthen learning and educational processes at the individual and institutional level.

The project was carried out from November 2022 until September 2023, involving residents, tenants, property management companies, and experts who are accompanying the settlement process. Werkstatt Neu Leopoldau is supported by the IBA_Wien 2022 of the City of Vienna, MA 50, and a series of further cooperation partners.

Transdisciplinary research team

• future.lab Research Center TU Vienna: Christian Peer (project leader), Magdalena Augustin, Tamara Bauer, Ruth Höpler
• Citizen scientists: residents of Neu Leopoldau
• Practice partners: GB* district management Neu Leopoldau, property management and further experts, who professionally accompany the settlement process

Podcast episode

In September 2022, project leader Christian Peer was a guest on the Österreich forscht podcast "Wissen macht Leute" - if you're interested to learn more about the project, you can listen to the episode here (in German). In addition, Maria Schönswetter, a dedicated Citizen Scientist in the project, gave interesting insights into the project in March 2023 - tune in!

Results

You can download the final report directly from IBA_Vienna 2022 website or from the future.lab website!

Read more about the findings and results in our blog entry!

Overview

You can tell by its name: The forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) is a characteristic species for deciduous and mixed forests. It belongs to the dormouse family and its survival is inextricably linked with forest habitats. The forest dormouse is protected throughout Europe, but data on its distribution is largely still missing. So where in Austria can it be found?

Have you ever seen a forest dormouse? With its black eye mask, it reminds us of a superhero in action, but in fact it spends a large part of the year in hibernation – a very typical behavior for a dormouse. Even during its activity period, it is a quite cryptic species that lives a hidden life between the branches of the trees. The forest dormouse is seldom seen, and it is not easy to prove its presence in an area. The forest dormouse is almost unknown even among foresters and regular forest guests. 

Therefore, we are searching for the forest dormouse nationwide - beginning from the Danube floodplains, down to the mountains of the Alps. We want to find out more about this cryptic little climber and its habitat preferences and are counting on the help of numerous citizen scientists! There are many ways to take part in the “task force forest dormouse”. Become a citizen scientist and help us to find the forest dormouse!

Our project goals:

• Where does it live? – Improve the knowledge about the distribution of the forest dormouse in Austria.
• How can we preserve the habitats of the forest dormouse? – Develop a schedule of measures to protect the species.

What´s happening now:

• We installed 600 nesting boxes to monitor the forest dormouse populations. 
• We use camera traps and footprint tunnels to detect our native dormice.
• We collect reports from citizen scientist. 
• We provide information material and educational documents.
• We develop a protection concept and guidelines for forest managers.
• We share our knowledge at events.

Citizen Science Seminar

In 2022, poject coordinator Birgit Rotter held a lecture about "Forest areas for the forest dormouse" (in German) as part of the lecture series "Citizen Science Seminar" at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). At the end of this page you can watch the video recording of the lecture.

Image gallery

• Forest dormouse climbing in the branches (c) Lubomir Hlasek Forest dormouse climbing in the branches (c) Lubomir Hlasek
• Forest dormouse sitting on a branch (c) Lubomir Hlasek Forest dormouse sitting on a branch (c) Lubomir Hlasek
• Forest dormouse found in a nesting box (c) apodemus Forest dormouse found in a nesting box (c) apodemus
• Nesting box (c) Birgit Rotter Nesting box (c) Birgit Rotter
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The Austrian start-up Livin Farms develops innovative technologies for the sustainable breeding of insects. Food and other organic residues can be recycled with the help of insects and converted back into valuable proteins. In this way, cycles can be closed and food systems can be made more sustainable.

Explorer Challenge

Education is another central aspect at Livin Farms. As part of the Explorer Challenge school project Livin Farms brings sustainability, circular economy and insects to schools. The project is for public secondary schools in Vienna and runs in cooperation with the Vienna Business Agency. Participation in the project is free.

School classes receive up to 3 Hive Explorer (mini mealworm farms) per school for up to one semester. Participating school classes develop their own research questions on insects and insect breeding and implement experiments to find answers. The results are documented and presented.

Through the participation of the students as Citizen Scientists, new research questions are developed. Thereby new knowledge and new insights are generated and research on the subject of insects as an alternative source of protein is supported.

Other schools are also invited to participate. To receive a Hive Explorer, these schools can check the website www.thehiveexplorer.com or send an to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Picture Gallery

• Hive Explorer in Vienna Open Lab 2 (c) Vienna Open Lab Hive Explorer in Vienna Open Lab 2 (c) Vienna Open Lab
• Hive Explorer in Vienna Open Lab (c) Vienna Open Lab Hive Explorer in Vienna Open Lab (c) Vienna Open Lab
• Hive Explorer in the NMS Konstanziagasse 2 (c) livin farms Hive Explorer in the NMS Konstanziagasse 2 (c) livin farms
• Hive Explorer in the NMS Konstanziagasse (c) livin farms Hive Explorer in the NMS Konstanziagasse (c) livin farms
• Hive Explorer in the OMS Pfeilgasse (c) livin farms Hive Explorer in the OMS Pfeilgasse (c) livin farms
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1. Description

Take part in a Citizen Science Project, in which your cat will play the main role! According to current knowledge, any kind of damage or addiction to catnip can be ruled out – the administration of catnip to the cat is completely harmless. The experiment requires about 20 minutes a day for three days in a row (preparation time is included). At the end of the experiment, a total of 15 minutes of recordings should result.

2. General

Dear Citizen Scientists!

First of all, thanks to all of you who decided to participate in a Citizen Science Project. The favourite domestic animal of Austrians and Germans are cats. They can be encountered in about 16% of Austrian household, which makes up every 6^th household with a feline. You must’ve already heard about how cats go crazy about catnip (Nepeta cataria) that has been named after them. Reports on their reactions to the herb vary a lot: some show little or no interest at all, whereas others enjoy every touch or even fall into a state of euphoria. Researchers all over the world are eager to know why cats in particular cannot resist the scent of catnip, and initial finding are emerging. 

Important: There are no reports or indications about catnip being harmful to your cat. 

Furthermore, there are still many unanswered questions. The questions that I’ve been asking myself are whether cats can develop a resistance to catnip and whether distinguishing features such as gender, genetics or age have any influence on the development of resistance. At a regular consumption of various intoxicants and stimulants, humans must take a higher dose of a substance to achieve the same effect, or in other words: the effect diminishes if the amount of a substance remains the same. Together with my master thesis and you participating, I want to examine this hypothesis and create findings. For this, please read through the following points.

3.   Preparation and instructions

• The experiment requires 20 minutes each of three consecutive days. The time for the experiment for the participant is free to be chosen, however, the continuation on the following days should be carried out roughly at the same time as on the first day (± 1 hour).
• The contents of the test kit
  • information sheet
  • questionnaire with an assignment code of six digits on the backside
  • five sacks of catnip (about 9g each) (be careful when taking out the sacks – they are not sealed)
  • a cotton bag
• One test kit is to be used for one cat. During the administration of catnip to the cat, the feline mustn’t have any contact to other cats.

Note that only three out of five sacks with catnip are needed. The other two are meant as a small token of attention to you and for personal use. Should your cat show no interest in the catnip, you could use the herb for tee as well.

4. Allocation of tasks

The tasks of the citizen scientist consist of preparing and recording the experiment, and filling out the questionnaire. For the preparation: according to instructions, stuff one sack of catnip into the cotton bag and lace it up. Administer the bag to the cat by either placing the bag in front of the feline or bringing the feline directly to the bag. Now, start recording by showing the administration code first, then the cat according to chapter 5 “Performing the experiment”.

Upload the videos to the upload link (to be found in the second e-mail) and fill out the questionnaire online. Every video and completed questionnaire will then be analysed to see whether changes of behaviour throughout the experiment appear and whether estimations on the cats’ behaviour can be made based on distinguishing features such as gender, genetics, age, etc. Besides, the hypothesis that none or barely interested cats can learn to react to catnip by the administration is to be examined as well.

5. Performing the experiment

In order to carry out the experiment, a smart device (e.g., smartphones, tablets, etc.) or a video camera are required for recording. Then, a total of 16 minutes is needed for the performing. 

Step 1: Stuff one of the sacks with catnip into the cotton bag.

Step 2: Start recording. Briefly and discernibly, show the administration code on the backside of the questionnaire. Start a stopwatch or note the time when administrating the cotton bag to the cat (t0) and record the cat’s reaction for two minutes. Interact with the feline as little as possible after starting the experiment.

Step 3: Five minutes after the administration (t5), record the cat’s reaction for one minute.

Step 4: Ten minutes after the administration (t10), record the cat’s reaction for one minute.

Step 5: 15 minutes after the administration (t15), record the cat’s reaction for one minute.

• Find an instruction video on the homepage of the faculty of zoology (link located further below).
• The last page of this project description shows a pictorial instruction.
• A total of five minutes video material should result per day – 15 minutes for the entire experiment over three days.
• Should the cat lose interest, please note the precise time (tx) at which the cat shows no more response.
• Should the cat show no interest in the catnip at all, note that as well, as that counts as a result too. If no interest is shown, no recordings are needed.
• Change or clean the location after the first and second day of administration. That ensures best condition, without influences of the day before.
• During the 16 minutes of administration, do not give the cat any kind of treats or titbits, otherwise, feed the cat as usually.
• Find the administration code that is assigned to one cat only on the backside of the questionnaire.
  • The first video of each day should include a brief recording of the code right at the beginning; the recording of the code should not be a separate video.
• The chronological order of the videos should evidently be named automatically by your smart device. Naturally, you can rename the videos as long as the date and time are made clear.
• In a second e-mail, find a link for the video uploads and a link for the digital questionnaire.
• The digital questionnaire corresponds to the questionnaire in the test kit that serves only for personal notetaking for the duration of the experiment. Should any problem arise when filling out the online questionnaire, please send us the completed questionnaire per e-mail.
• For further questions regarding the upload, experiment or any problems, feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
• The uploaded videos cannot be watched by other participants due to data protection!

6. Purpose of the experiment

The purpose of the experiment is to observe and examine how cats’ behaviour might change or diminish if they are exposed to catnip for three consecutive days. The more participants we have, the more significant are the results.

7. Contents of the test kit

The catnip used for this Citizen Science Project comes from barryz.de, based in Germany. To this grown in France catnip we attach great value – meaning, it is grown naturally and it contains no artificial colouring, preservatives and is completely GM-free (not genetically engineered). Besides, the catnip is fully vegan and gluten free. The five sacks with the catnip of the brand Cilia are made of pure paper fibres, the cotton bag of the brand SAKETOS consists of 100% cotton. The test kit does not contain anything that could harm you or your cat.

8. Related links

For more information on this project, please visit the project homepage of the faculty of zoology at the university of Innsbruck.

Otherwise, feel free to watch our YouTube video.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I wish you and your cat a lot of fun with the experiments!

Picture Gallery

• Relaxation Relaxation
• Contact Contact
• Packing Packing
• Smell Smell
• Working process aroma bags Working process aroma bags
• Working process teabags Working process teabags
• aroma bags aroma bags
• Catnip Catnip
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Be an expert on your disease and join our research!

The PATIO initiative is working hard to strengthen the voices of prostate cancer patients and their caregivers heard in medical research.

Why is it important to act now? 

Porstate cancer affects a considerable number of people in Austria. On the one hand, around 65,000 men have suffered from this particular type of cancer by the end of 2020 (Statistics Austria, 2022), and on the other hand, there are countless partners, children, grandchildren and close friends who stand by the side of those directly affected by the disease. Over time, caregivers acquire more and more knowledge about prostate cancer and thus become valuable mediators of the everyday life with the disease and the corresponding research. 

Our aim is to make everyday life with prostate cancer easier for those affected by the disease with the help of a digital communication tool. 

Being disgnosed with "cancer" is a dramatic experience and prostate cancer is likely to be a challenging disease both during and after treatment. In addition to the physical effects, the disease can also affect your personal relationships, hobbies, work life and financial situation. It is your individual strategies for coping with the side effects of cancer that can be extremely valuable not only to other people affected by cancer, but also to research!

This is where the PATIO initiative comes in. Since 2020, we have been working closely with a total of nine patients and one patient's relative to improve the overall quality of life. We want to learn from their personal stories and experiences. Together, we want to find ways to improve everyday life with prostate cancer for everyone involved.

“PATIOSpots” as a result of direct public participation and engagement

The “PATIOSpots” health guide app was developed in a co-design and co-creation process with people affected. It allows users to find various relevant contact points on a worldwide map or to enter them themselves in a participatory way. Points of contact can be, for example, toilets, treatment centres, support groups, medical supply shops, etc. Other features can also be added to the locations (opening hours, cleanliness, facilities, etc.). The app is also directly linked to our website www.patiospots.com. Articles on current scientific issues and everyday life with prostate cancer are also regularly published here. Our "PATIO Lounge" forum is another networking platform where people can exchange views on various topics.

PATIO's vision is to provide the best possible information on treatment options and advice on how to manage the symptoms of the disease, but also to provide a communication platform for internal exchange and an interface between doctors and patients.

The initiative

The PATIO initiative is a collaborative research project that brings together scientific knowledge from different disciplines and the practical expertise of prostate cancer patients in Austria. The project is being carried out at the Medical University of Vienna in collaboration with scientists from academia as well as with the official support group for prostate cancer in Austria. Nine patients and one relative contribute their knowledge and life experience to the extended team. The project was funded by the Open Innovation in Science Center of the Ludwig Boltzmann Society.

Stay up to date

You just found out about “PATIO” by this posting and would like to stay informed about the next steps we are taking altogether at “PATIO”? We heartly invite you to sign up for our newsletter and to follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

Gallery

• 1. Round table 1. Round table
• 1. Round table 1. Round table
• 1. Round table 1. Round table
• 1. Round table 1. Round table
• We keep the patient experience high! We keep the patient experience high!
• Round table - we are complete Round table - we are complete
• Round table Round table
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The "Österreichische Vogelwarte" reports that the Hungarian Bumblebee (Bombus haematurus) has now been sighted in Lower Austria: https://www.citizen-science.at/blog/ungarische-hummel-in-niederoesterreich-gesichtet

Did you know that you can subscribe to our blog and be automatically informed about new posts? You can find out how here: https://www.citizen-science.at/blog/willkommen-am-blog-von-oesterreich-forscht

DeVOTE is a research project funded by the European Research Council (ERC) from January 2021 to December 2025, and led by Ass.-Prof. Carolina Plescia to develop and apply a new approach to study what ‘voting’ means for ordinary citizens. The project’s goals are:

• understand what ‘voting’ means for ordinary citizens;
• examine the variation of 'voting' meanings across individuals and across countries;
• study how elections create and modify these 'voting' meanings;
• investigate the consequences of 'voting' meanings for citizens' preferences, attitudes and their political behaviours;
• devise an election 'observatory' for systematic data collection on the meanings of voting on Election Day that can favour the scientific interpretation of election outcomes.

Why does this matter?

The question what is the meaning of voting is of great importance today due to the growing distrust in the act of voting itself and in democratic institutions in many countries around the world. The DeVOTE project investigates the political, symbolic and psychological meanings of voting. What does voting mean to you? Is voting a civic duty? Is there a political alternative to voting?

Using a novel methodological approach, a new typology of meanings and motivations for voting will be developed. Through the practice-oriented analysis of elections, the project offers an important source of information on the political significance that citizens attach to elections and the act of voting. The project does not only focus on the already well-researched countries in Western Europe, but also looks at the so-called autocracies in Europe and beyond. This allows new insights into voting outside of democratic systems.

DeVOTE is committed to open science practices, aiming to make multilingual scientific knowledge openly available, accessible and reusable for everyone. This is done in compliance with GDPR standards to protect your privacy.

How can you participate?

DeVOTE invites you to participate by sharing your own meanings of voting and help us explore the diversity, change and use of all possible meanings of voting in your own country and beyond. Participation is possible via an online form on the project website. There are various ways you can take part in DeVOTE:

		1. Your opinion matters → DEFINE VOTING! You can write down terms and descriptions for your own definition of voting answering the question “What does voting mean to you?”
		2. You are the observer → IMAGINE DEFINITIONS! You can tell us where your definition of voting comes from.
		3. You are the researcher → COLLECT DATA! You can search for the many possible definitions that journalists, parties, politicians, stakeholders and so on give to voting and describe them.
		4. You are the expert → CATEGORIZE MEANINGS! You can provide direct input to the researchers in DeVOTE by categorizing the meanings of voting we have collected.

Since April 2021, the University of Vienna has been working on the project BaF - Biodiversity in Cemeteries in cooperation with Friedhöfe Wien GmbH (Vienna cemeteries). The aim is to document biodiversity (the occurrence of a wide variety of animals, plants and fungal species) and to investigate the active and passive impact of humans on cemetery areas as habitats. This collaboration between the university and the municipal cemeteries represents a significant step towards understanding the diverse ecosystems within the cemeteries and developing measures for the sustainable conservation and promotion of biodiversity. The BaF project thus not only contributes to scientific research, but also to the sustainable development of urban green spaces.

Cemeteries as biodiversity hotspots - project goals & participation

Cemeteries are more than just places of mourning and remembrance. Due to their location, size and the various natural areas they harbour, they represent an important habitat for a variety of organisms. But exactly how many creatures live in cemetery areas has not yet been researched. The BaF Biodiversity at Cemeteries project aims to carry out a comprehensive inventory of biodiversity in Austrian cemeteries and invites you to become part of this exciting research project and discover the fascinating world of cemetery nature.

Why is research into biodiversity in cemeteries so important? Quite simply! Because such an inventory not only allows conclusions to be drawn about changes in biodiversity, but also provides insights into the coexistence of humans and nature. By collecting data on the various plant and animal species, important insights can be gained into how human activities affect the environment and what measures can be taken to protect biodiversity. Together with volunteers and experts from a wide range of fields, various methods are used to record biodiversity, including counting and identifying plant and animal species, carrying out mapping and creating biotope maps.
Join in and help us unravel the secrets of cemetery nature! Every contribution counts and helps us to better understand and protect our environment. More information at: baf-austria.at.

This is how it works: 

1) Discover plants, animals or fungi at the cemetery site.

2) Send us a photo or your report to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or use the sighting form on our website.

3) Give us information about time and place of your sighting.

4) We help with determinations and you help to protect the biodiversity of our city!

Citizen Science Seminary

In 2024, poject coordinator Thomas Filek held a lecture as part of the lecture series "Citizen Science Seminar" at BOKU University: "Biodiversity at Cemeteries - a look at three years of sustainable developments" (in German). You can watch the video recording of the lecture here.

The team and the organisation

BaF consists of a small team of student assistants, lecturers and of course you. Project leaders are Thomas Filek and Doris Nagel, who, in addition to the organisation, also take care of the staff and the dialogue with you.

Partners

Image gallery

Click on an image to enlarge it.

• Reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) Reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha)
• Carpenter ant (Camponotus sp.) Carpenter ant (Camponotus sp.)
• Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
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