Check out this wasp dragging a wolf spider

[Eatatjoes]

I saw this yesterday and had to get a pic, the thing is trying to drag a wolf spider up into my 3 gallon container. Later I went out there and the wasp had a second spider. I got close to it to take the pic and it started getting defensive. I think it was laying eggs in the spiders.

 

[Phillthy]

thats a mud dauber. they primarily eat spiders. mostly black widows.

 

[Eatatjoes]

oh, thanks Phillthy. I thought it was one of those wasps I saw on the discovery channel that lays eggs in the paralyzed spider so the babies have food.

 

[Phillthy]

yes they do. they usually drag them back to a mud house they built and lay an egg on it then seal up the house. the larva hatch, eat the spider and eat their way out of the house. they are a wasp usually black with an iridescent blue hue to them.

 

[juicepuddle]

creeeeeeeepy

 

[BadTicket]

Yup, nature is rough, mang.

 

[SS-]

Creepy indeed. IDK if I would've been able to get that close lol. Hate wasps after a FEW bad experiences lol

 

[draco]

i remember those blue wasps growing up. we were always afraid of them, but i don't remember anyone getting stung by one.

didn't know about their diet... there's another wasp that does the same with tarantulas...

 

[The End Is Near]

Some paper wasps use my asparagus as their hunting grounds, snatching up little caterpillars and chewing them into a meatball for their young. Good stuff to watch having a smoke.

Also for the past three years I think the same bumblebee comes to my yard. Never lands or pollinates, just attacks bees from rival hives so her sisters can monopolize the basil, scanning every bee to decide whether to attack or leave.....bee. Even chases at falling leaves and overhead bird formations. But not too much basil the last couple years so I only see her briefly scouting/patrolling. I think of her like a guardian spirit.

Also, here's why I won't be growing speckled peach tomatoes anymore. Attracts these large caterpillars which are prey to parasitic wasps. Literally all 10 or so caterpillars I left alive out of mercy were hosts.

 

[supermanlives]

very cool

 

[AOD2012]

In my best Larry David voice:

Pretty, Pretty, Pretty, good




aod

 

[dagnabit]

as an arachnophobe....

GOOOOO WASP!!!