marabunta
Any of several large wasps known for their painful stings: — Polistes infuscatus
GE Bodkin (1918), “Notes on some British Guiana Hymenoptera exclusive of the Formicidae”, in Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, volume 1917, Vol. 65: “The local name is marabunta. Destroying marabunta nests with a wad of dried palm leaves attached to a long pole soaked in kerosene and ignited is an interesting operation for an onlooker at a respectful distance”
Any of several large wasps known for their painful stings: — a mud dauber or a mason wasp
In and out he flies, bringing each time a tiny daub of mud, the building material of his choice. Before however, he has quite finished his dome or sealed it up he introduces a slender green worm, or more, to serve, it would seem, as larder for the children when they become conscious of their blissful existence and when they feel the pangs of hunger! This species of marabunta is often called the mason bee or fly, on account of its building powers or propensities.
Any of several large wasps known for their painful stings: — Synoeca surinama
Any of several large wasps known for their painful stings: — Polybia occidentalis and other species
Where it comes from
Uncertain. Perhaps ultimately from Kimbundu marimbondo, plural of rimbondo (“Sceliphron spirifex, a bright yellow and black wasp”), possibly via Portuguese marimbondo. Compare Sranan Tongo marbonsu (“wasp of the genus Polistes”).
Adapted from the Wiktionary entry marabunta (CC BY-SA 4.0).