Tarantula hawk

[schmiggle]

Saw this today, thought it was cool. This is the first time I've seen a spider wasp, so it was pretty exciting. I don't think the species is resolvable beyond Pepsis/Hemipepsis from the video, but if someone wants to take a stab at it I'll be very impressed.
View attachment VID_20220422_181608979.mp4

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

I always feel bad for the tarantula, because it isnt just killed, its slowly eaten by the babies. But wasps gotta eat too ig.

 

[A cave cricket]

You don't need to be sad about it, you need to be sad if it's on tarantula discussions. This is insects and arthropods.

 

[jc55]

I have seen the tarantula hawks before but never with a spider and thanks for sharing the video.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

You don't need to be sad about it, you need to be sad if it's on tarantula discussions. This is insects and arthropods.

Was this an attempt at humor?

 

[A cave cricket]

No

 

[xXTristinaXx]

Was this an attempt at humor?

Haha

 

[The Snark]

Just to mention, wasps, and their hornet cousins, are far more beneficial than the limited number of spiders they target. They parasitize a vast strata of problematic exoskeletal animals in larvae form as well as directly feed on the adults,and are pollinators. We wouldn't have figs without wasps, they help control predators that feed on other pollinators and numerous varieties of flowers depend on them.
Additionally, they are one of the most capable and efficient predators the world over, are mostly social, and many have a built in mechanism to summon other wasps if the are maimed or killed to protect their nests / hives. Remarkable animals.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Just to mention, wasps, and their hornet cousins, are far more beneficial than the limited number of spiders they target. They parasitize a vast strata of problematic exoskeletal animals in larvae form as well as directly feed on the adults,and are pollinators. We wouldn't have figs without wasps, they help control predators that feed on other pollinators and numerous varieties of flowers depend on them.
Additionally, they are one of the most capable and efficient predators the world over, are mostly social, and many have a built in mechanism to summon other wasps if the are maimed or killed to protect their nests / hives. Remarkable animals.

I hate wasps and figs, so I dont see a positive here except they help improve my pain tolerance

 

[The Snark]

I hate wasps and figs, so I dont see a positive here except they help improve my pain tolerance

And I hate strawberry ice cream drenched in anchovy sauce. But that didn't get in my way of appreciating the beautiful eyes of the woman eating the glurp.

 

[schmiggle]

Just to mention, wasps, and their hornet cousins, are far more beneficial than the limited number of spiders they target. They parasitize a vast strata of problematic exoskeletal animals in larvae form as well as directly feed on the adults,and are pollinators. We wouldn't have figs without wasps, they help control predators that feed on other pollinators and numerous varieties of flowers depend on them.
Additionally, they are one of the most capable and efficient predators the world over, are mostly social, and many have a built in mechanism to summon other wasps if the are maimed or killed to protect their nests / hives. Remarkable animals.

Most wasp species are solitary, but I agree with the sentiment.

I hate wasps and figs,

You, sir or madam, are the worst kind of person

Seriously, how do you not like figs? Wasps I get.

 

[The Snark]

Seriously, how do you not like figs? Wasps I get.

I prefer the reverse here. Wasps I can cope with. A highly sophisticated gadget called a 'butterfly net', but my little fish pond net works pretty good too. But on the other hand, Genghis in his heyday was very very small change compared to the ant hordes figs and other sugary fruits attract

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Most wasp species are solitary, but I agree with the sentiment.

You, sir or madam, are the worst kind of person

Seriously, how do you not like figs? Wasps I get.

What the snark said, and theyre nasty

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

@schmiggle remember when you eat a fig, you could be eating a wasp.

 

[schmiggle]

@schmiggle remember when you eat a fig, you could be eating a wasp.

Yeah, good protein

Not to mention, IIRC you never eat a wasp with the most commonly cultivated fig species, which produces two different kinds of figs. The inedible one has the wasps.

 

[Arthroverts]

It was a normal day on Arachnoboards...

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Fig Newtons I love'em

I love dates more than figs but man are they expensive.