Spider Wasp

Natural Habitat

Found in various habitats worldwide, particularly in sunny, open areas like gardens, fields, and woodlands where they can hunt for spiders.

Diet & Feeding

Adult spider wasps feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae are carnivorous, developing on a paralyzed spider provided by the mother wasp.

Behavior Patterns

Spider wasps are solitary. Females hunt and paralyze spiders with their sting, then drag them to a pre-built burrow or crevice where they lay a single egg on the spider. The larva then feeds on the living but paralyzed spider. They are often seen scurrying on the ground, searching for prey.

Risks & Benefits

Potential Risks: They can deliver a painful, though not usually medically significant, sting if provoked or handled, ranking high on the Schmidt sting pain index. Potential Benefits: They act as a form of natural pest control by preying on spiders, including some species that might be considered pests.

Identified on: 9/22/2025