Spider Wasps

Family Pompilidae

Episyron quinquenotatus. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

These wasps are predaceous and hunt spiders to feed their larvae. Adults search for prey on vegetation or the ground and paralyze captured spiders, which are then stored in a cell in the ground nest. Larvae hatch and feed on the paralyzed spider. Female spider wasps can give a painful sting. Spider wasps are usually dark coloured with long spiny legs. The wings are often smoky gray or brown and the wasps flick their wings quickly as they walk along the ground. A few species are brightly coloured with red, white or yellow markings.