Spiders of Wisconsin: Spider Predators and Parasites

Spider Wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Pompilidae Wasp and Spider Prey Photo
Spider wasps seek out spiders, knock them out with a paralyzing sting and drag them back to a burrow. In the burrow, the paralyzed but still living spider provides nourishment for the wasp's young. The wasp above was caught dragging the large spider back to its burrow.

Spiders of Wisconsin
Copyright © 2002-2004 Peter J. DeVries
(pdevries@wisc.edu)
Updated: September 6, 2004