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Alexander Dudley | all galleries >> Australian Invertebrates >> Insects >> Bees, wasps and ants. > Pompeid Wasp- Spider Hunter
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01-FEB-2013 İAlexander Dudley 2013

Pompeid Wasp- Spider Hunter

St. Peters Pass, Tasmania

These agile wasps are spider specialists, and most spiders are terrified of them. The wasps will sting a spider and drag its paralysed
prey to a burrow where it will lay an egg on the immobile victim. The wasp larvae will have a live spider to feed on while it grows.
A very good reason not to come back as a spider.

Nikon D7000 ,Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro
1/250s f/18.0 at 60.0mm iso100 full exif

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Alexander Dudley03-Feb-2013 02:35
There are a number of species in this family- some get quite large (about 40mm in length) and can tackle some of our bigger spiders. This particular individual was only about 15mm long.
Ann Pettigrew03-Feb-2013 02:19
Great shot and description. Did you get to see one catch a spider? Are they large?