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spider wasps

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Wasp eating large spider
Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 5:08 PM
We found this wasp eating a large spider. Unusual find… This picture was taken near Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
Kyle
South America

Hi Kyle,
The wasp is some species of Spider Wasp in the family Pompilidae.  We believe the spider is a Huntsman Spider.  For clarification, Spider Wasps do not eat spiders.  Female Spider Wasps sting and paralyze spiders to provide food for larval wasps.  According to BugGuide:  “Spider wasps prey on spiders. Some species sting and paralyze their prey and then transport it to a specially constructed nest before laying an egg. Other species leave the paralyzed spider in its nest and lay an egg upon it.” Adult Spider Wasps feed on nectar from flowers.

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