Japanese Spider Wasp

Adult spider wasps (Pompilidea) are a fairly common sight in the forests of Japan where they can be seen flying just above the ground seeking suitable places for hunting. The wasps will frequently drop to the ground and actively move over the leaf litter, sometimes flicking their wings in an effort to flush out prey. The wasps are seeking spiders of a suitable size to be subdued and used in helping the spiders produce the next generation of spider wasps. When a likely spider is found a brief struggle will ensue in which the wasp is nearly always the victor, dispatching its eight-legged adversary with a venomous sting. The wasps sting does not kill the spider which is instead left paralyzed and immobile. The wasp will they push, carry and drag the spider to a spot where a lair (usually a hole) has previously been prepared, though some wasps will not dig a hole until after they have secured a spider. The spider is then transferred into the lair where the wasp will deposit a single egg before departing and sealing the lair entrance. After the wasp larvae hatches it will carefully feed on the still-living spider, eating all of the eatable tissues though carefully leaving the vital organs for last in order to preserve the life of the spider as long as possible. After a time the spider will die and the larvae will pupate, emerging as an adult wasp the following spring or summer. A few spider wasps will use the spider in a different manner, depositing the egg on an active spider which will then be consumed by the pupae after it emerges and begins riding the spider like a horseman. The spider is thus able to pursue its normal living while all the while being slowly consumed by a killer passenger it cannot shake.

Emily and I encountered this small spider wasp and its prey while hiking in the hills near Shizuoka, City Japan. We followed the wasp for some time as it alternately flew and walked with the spider and were only able to get a brief bit of footage while the wasp was resting for a bit on a broad leaf.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Japan
• Japanese
• wasp
• spider
• spider wasp
• Pompilidea
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

[jacktrooper602]

are these wasps aggressive to humans like the other species? or will they just pass on by?

-jack :)

[softypapa]

Hello Jack,

I encounter these wasps often and am always poking my face closely in order to get a good look. So far the insects have taken little or no notice of me and seem utterly unconcerned by my presence. I do not know however how they might react if they felt threatened. -Kurt :-)

[6663000]

That's an awesome video, did you have to wait a long time to get that shot?

I have heard of these spider wasps before and the whole process seems very disgusting :)

[softypapa]

Hello 6663000, Emily found this wasp while she and I were strolling through a forest near our home. We followed the wasp for a few minutes as it flit from one leaf to the next (carrying the spider). When it finally settled down (for a rest perhaps?) we managed to get a minute of so of video before it took off again with its unhappy burden. -Kurt :-)

[Luminasita]

It looks so much like a queen ant, doesn't it? Quite impressive! I wonder what their nests look like.

~Kat

[softypapa]

Hello Kat, Your comment is very observant as wasps and ants are in fact close cousins (wasps came first) belonging to the order Hymenoptera.

As to shelter: all 4000+ species of spider wasps are solitary and though I do not know what type of shelter they use/make it is likely small in size. The holes they dig are used for storing prey and young though I'm wondering if the wasps will also weather the night in holes which do not yet have a spider visiting for dinner. -Kurt :-)

[keeyk118b]

that looks like a sac spider.

[LeDerpinandWinning]

i have those in the deck of my pool never ever swimming again

[Jorgeneto59]

this is not japanese giant hornet wasp

[MrAshToast]

Your videos are just so intriguing! :)

[Npeo]

Oh I've seen these wasps before. In California, they aren't too common, but we call them "Tarantula Hawk Wasps". These wasps show little to no aggression towards humans, but will sting if they feel threatened. The sting is to be said as "a 9 out of 10 of pain" but really don't have a large record of stings. This video is interesting though. Thank you!

-Andrew

[Angus666Young]

Wait, wait, wait, so these things paralyze a spider, then seal it underground after laying eggs in it's still living but immobile body and the eggs hatch and slowly eat the spider alive? That's fucking hardcore!