rhizostoma pulmo or barrel jellyfish
Residents of the Italian costal city of Trieste have been invaded. By Jellyfish.
A huge smack (the name for a group of jellyfish) of rhizostoma pulmo, commonly known as barrel or dustbin jellyfish, had been pushed into the harbor by a combination of winds and currents. The remained near the surface, presumably to feed on the plankton at the top of the water column.
Barrel jellyfish are the largest species of jellies found in the Med. They can get as large as 60 inches in diameter and weighing up to 55 pounds. While they are venomous, they aren’t considered a serious threat to humans. The effects of a sting are a burning sensation on the skin, dermatitis, and ulcers.