Spider Wasp
Scientific Name: Pompilidae (general family name), likely a species within genera such as Anoplius or Pepsis given its appearance.
Order & Family: Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Pompilidae
Size: Typically 10-30 mm (0.4-1.2 inches), though some species can be larger, up to 50 mm (2 inches).
Natural Habitat
Spider wasps can be found in a variety of habitats where their spider prey are abundant, including gardens, forests, grasslands, and urban areas. They often build nests in the ground, in rotting wood, or in existing cavities.
Diet & Feeding
Adult spider wasps typically feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew. The larvae are carnivorous, feeding on the paralyzed spiders provided by the adult female wasp.
Behavior Patterns
Spider wasps are solitary. Females hunt spiders, sting them to paralyze them, and then drag them back to a nest (often a burrrow in the ground or a natural cavity) where they lay a single egg on the paralyzed spider. The wasp larva then hatches and feeds on the live, paralyzed spider. Adult wasps are typically active during the day.
Risks & Benefits
Spider wasps deliver a very painful sting if provoked, but they are generally not aggressive towards humans unless directly threatened. The venom is primarily used to paralyze spiders. Ecologically, they are beneficial as natural predators that help control spider populations and also act as pollinators while feeding on nectar.
Identified on: 8/27/2025