Paralysed Theridion spiders

by Mareko Marciniak

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Paralysed Theridion spiders

Artist

Mareko Marciniak

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Photograph - Digital Photo

Description

I found in my bathroom a small wasp mud cell attached to the toilet paper. While cleaning I decided to remove it. I saw a wasp flying around and building the mud cell. When I removed the cell, through a whole I noticed some insect legs. I assumed that a wasp larva was inside. To my great surprise, when I opened the mud cell, I found eleven (11) paralysed spiders inside, still alive but unable to move, packed together. I realised that the mud cell belonged to a spider wasp. These wasps paralyse spiders and lay eggs in them; the larva then feeds on those spiders still alive, eating the vital organs at the very end; and only then the unfortunate victims die -a fascinating biology and behaviour of the cruel insect killer.

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January 15th, 2012

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