i had to kill this spider
May 27, 2014 10:49:24 #
usually when i see a spider there's a wasp carrying it.so one must have lost its meal or maybe it was going to bury it and lay an egg on it.anyway when i took pics it's face moved when the flash went off.so i stepped on it
May 27, 2014 12:13:12 #
I think Sarge will be pleased with the end result on this one.
Sends a shiver down the back when thinking about the parasites and the way they come into being, nice clean removal of the legs though.
Nice spot though can imagine easily missed
Sends a shiver down the back when thinking about the parasites and the way they come into being, nice clean removal of the legs though.
Nice spot though can imagine easily missed
May 27, 2014 13:29:39 #
May 28, 2014 08:25:22 #
rhadams824
Loc: Arkansas
I never cease to be amazed by your photographs.
Spiders collected by wasp are not dead but in a sort of suspended animation. The sting paralyzes them just enough to keep them alive for the young larvae. If the wasp killed these host for the young, the spider would rot and not be available for the young after the egg hatched and the larvae was ready to feed. Crack open a dirt dauber nest and you will find the spiders are still alive but ready for the larvae to feed on.
I know that Ole Sarge will now start looking in dirt dauber nest for his favorite arthropod.
Spiders collected by wasp are not dead but in a sort of suspended animation. The sting paralyzes them just enough to keep them alive for the young larvae. If the wasp killed these host for the young, the spider would rot and not be available for the young after the egg hatched and the larvae was ready to feed. Crack open a dirt dauber nest and you will find the spiders are still alive but ready for the larvae to feed on.
I know that Ole Sarge will now start looking in dirt dauber nest for his favorite arthropod.
May 28, 2014 10:40:31 #
What did you do? Put it on your kitchen counter to take the shot?
May 28, 2014 10:46:30 #
Dang... there MUST be a wasp out there that has graduated from medical school! Did you see the surgical expertise with which those spider legs were amputated?
That poor spider is now an octo-plegic with the unfortunate fate of death by starving or death by squishing... I hope someone was merciful.
At least it was spared the bite&suck from the wasp larvae.
That poor spider is now an octo-plegic with the unfortunate fate of death by starving or death by squishing... I hope someone was merciful.
At least it was spared the bite&suck from the wasp larvae.
May 28, 2014 12:56:08 #
XKaliber wrote:
Dang... there MUST be a wasp out there that has graduated from medical school!
Not only the wasp but, the larva too. They will only feed on the parts of the spider that won't kill it, leaving the vital parts for last, to keep it alive as long as possible.
May 28, 2014 13:55:32 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Not only the wasp but, the larva too. They will only feed on the parts of the spider that won't kill it, leaving the vital parts for last, to keep it alive as long as possible.
Who knew we would not only become more knowledgeable about photography here, but also receive nearly degree level instruction on biology, horticulture, and probably a hundred or so other ologies and cultural subjects!! :) :)
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