Tarantula hawks in captivity?

[dtknow]

I couldn't resist posting this idea but has anyone ever observed the development of these critters? I'm not sure if they only take a certain species of tarantula because if not you could use something like a P. murinus mature and done male. If not these, has anyone kept any similar species that take small spiders, crickets etc.?

 

[Waspman]

Most parasitoids such as spider wasps are picky about what species they prey upon, so a P. murinus would almost certainly not work with new world species of t-hawk. Also, in captivity in a cage, the tarantula has the advantage.

 

[lucanidae]

I've kept the small local species of Pompilids and raised them on the local Agelinids, worked pretty well. The adults feed on nectar, or in my case, gatorade.

 

[dtknow]

Yeah, I've heard that, but has anyone tried it? In captivity with no other choice, it could happen(I suppose).

It wouldn't be too hard for me to put the two ingredients together, but I don't think I'd have the heart to do it. Plus tarantula hawks are probably one of the only bugs that give me the heeby-jeebies. I can barely touch dead ones.

 

[Waspman]

It would be possible, but you'd have to match up the right predator to prey species (20+ Pepsis/4 Hemipepsis spp. and 50+ Aphonopelma spp. in the US, yikes!!).

The best way is to isolate them based on distribution, so the easiest would be in Missouri. A. hentzi is the only tarantula in that state, so tarantula hawks in Missouri would work (P. elegans is the most abundant t-hawk in that state).

 

[lucanidae]

I am confused as to why we think that the wasp would differentiate between Aphonopelmas and be so choosey. Is there any published information on this? I'd bet as far as chemical cues go the tarantulas are not different enough from each other to cause the wasp not to attack, and it isn't like one species of spider dosen't have what the larvae require to feed and grow up on. I know that around here the Sphecid cicada killers attack multiple species of cicada, so why would Pompilids be much different?

 

[lucanidae]

I found this paper: Pompilid Wasp Interactions with Burrowing Tarantulas: Pepsis cupripennis versus Eupalaestrus weijenberghi and Acanthoscurria suina (Araneae, Theraphosidae) in Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment. So this Pepsis species attacks tarantulas in two different genera.

Also, in this paper: Behavioral Responses of Pepsis thisbe (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) to Chemosensory Cues Associated with Host Spiders from Insect Behavior, Pepsis thisbe is tested with both A. moderatum and A. texense.

Based on this I think it is unreasonable to believe that all of our local species would be so host specific, and any Aphonopelma and possibly closley related genera would be fed upon.

 

[dtknow]

Interesting stuff! In any case, it would not be hard for most people to find the host species of the tarantula hawk in their area(though it would be nice if you could use something besides a local aphonopelma). The National Audubon Society field guide says they will also take large wolf spiders.

 

[Waspman]

I know that host selection does vary with region and species, with some Pepsis sp. attacking more than one species of Aphonopelma.

Biology of the Spider Wasp Pepsis thisbe (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Trans Pecos, Texas. P. thisbe hunts only A. echina in this region.

Experience Affects Hunting Behavior of the Wasp Pepsis mildei Stal (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). P. mildei hunts only A. steindachneri in Big Bend.

With those examples you gave, Pepsis spp. and related genera might not always be host-specific, but there is an apparent preference of prey species. Unfortunately, I can only read the abstracts.

There's a paper that would answer this, but I wouldn't be able to look at it until I go back to school in a week or so.

 

[lucanidae]

Parasites and parasitoids are constantly found in new unknown hosts. It is possible that in these areas predation on other Theraphosids simply hasn't been observed. But we do know that some species of tarantula hawks are able to prey on different species/genera of tarantulas. I'd bet in a captive situation a female Pepsis would tackle almost any proper sized Theraphosid; but I guess we'd have to wait and see if someone is willing to do it.

 

[Scolopendra55]

I've kept them before. They actually live for quite a long time feeding on pollen (you can get it at health food stores) mixed with pure cane sugar and lukewarm water. They are very fun to keep an watch buzz around! They can actually become quite "docile" and will allow a small ammount of handeling before buzzing off

 

[dtknow]

You are crazy. But thanks for the care part! LOL

I find lucanidae's use of Gatorade pretty interesting. I guess pollen with protein rounds off the equation. I've usually seen them using milkweed or similar flowers.