Wolf Spider vs. Spider Wasp

Wolf Spider vs. Spider Wasp

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Laying only a single egg, the spider wasp has a brutal method to ensure its young have a high chance of survival.

With a striking red thorax, the spider wasp gains its name from paralyzing arachnids with its large stinger.

The spider is then dragged into the wasp’s nest, where it will lay one egg into the still-alive abdomen of the spider, which will act as a ‘host’ to the young.

The wasp larvae will then feed on the inside of the spider, till it breaks free as an adult wasp.

Amateur photographer, Kenneth Gisi, witnessed a chase between a spider wasp and wolf spider in his back garden in Texas and caught it on camera.

He said: “I was out working on building a chicken coop when I noticed this spider wasp hovering over the grass. Then I noticed the wolf spider and knew exactly what was about to happen, as I have seen this happen before.”

Despite its size, the wolf spider failed to escape from the agile wasp in a high-paced chase and quickly became paralyzed in the grass.

Kenneth filmed the action from start to finish, till the wasp had dragged its prey fully into its lair, but was careful to keep his distance.

He said: “I did not continue to pursue the wasp after it dragged the spider into my shed. I didn’t want the wasp to abandon its kill from me stalking it, as you can see in the video that a few times it left the spider because I was getting too close.

“I was pretty certain the spider wasp would win since the wolf spider had absolutely no place to hide from the wasp.”