The wasp spider is a fairly common and extremely interesting representative of the arachnid (arachnid) class. This class has a very wide habitat. Arachnids are common in Europe and northern Africa, and are also found in South Asia. Representatives of this genus can be found in eastern states, in particular Japan and China. As for Russia, this species of spiders lives only in the southern part of the country.
It is interesting that the wasp spider prefers to live on the territory of meadows and forest edges. Sometimes this representative of the animal world can be found on the side of the road.
Wasp Spider: Short Description
This creation in science is known as Angiop Brunnich. It is interesting that the species got its name in honor of the famous mineralogist and zoologist from Denmark - Morten Trane Brunnich. Some scientists have proposed the name "zebra spider", since the body of such a spider stands out with a very characteristic, striped color. Nevertheless, the prefix "wasp" took root faster.
Representatives of this species are not too large and have a very characteristic color - their abdomen has an interesting pattern of yellow, white and black alternating stripes. This coloring is somewhat reminiscent of wasps - this made the name "spider-wasp" so popular.
On the back, individuals have a dense silver shield. The cephalothorax of such a spider is covered with hairs with the same silver color. By the way, the extremities of the insect also have expressive light and dark rings. And along the edges of the abdomen there are six distinct notches painted in different colors, ranging from dark shades to bright yellow and even orange.
Interestingly, in this species of spiders, sexual dimorphism is very clearly visible. Females of this genus are quite large - their size is approximately 25 mm, and with four legs straightened, all four centimeters. Abdomen with bright color.
At the same time, males are much smaller - the length of their abdomen is only seven millimeters. The color is discreet.
Wasp Spider: Nutrition Method
Representatives of this group feed in the same way as all arachnid creatures. A wasp spider weaves a thin, hunting web (web) with a characteristic zigzag pattern. As a rule, insects weave a web in twilight. Interestingly, to create a full-fledged hunting network, stretched between plants, a spider needs only an hour.
As already mentioned, the web is very characteristic and consists of thin threads. In the center is the so-called stabilization, a thick thread that forms a zigzag pattern. It was here that the wasp spider was waiting for its prey. Representatives of this group of spiders prey mainly on wasps and grasshoppers, less often on other insects. After the prey enters the trap network, the spider immobilizes it and injects a fluid rich in herbal enzymes into the body. Enzymes actively digest the internal organs of the insect - they feed on the spider.
Wasp Spider: Breeding
Mating spiders occurs immediately after the first molt. After fertilization, the female eats the male. After about a month, the females lay from 300 to 400 eggs - for this purpose they form either one or several cocoons at once.
Young individuals emerge from eggs in the autumn months, but remain in a cocoon until May. The female dies only after she builds several (rarely one) egg cocoons.
Wasp Spider Poisonous?
This question interests many. Indeed, the large size of the female and the bright color of the body of the insect suggests that the spider wasp is poisonous. However, this statement is incorrect. Representatives of this group of arachnids are not harmful to human health. Sometimes at the site of a bite, the skin may redden, become inflamed. In some cases, swelling may occur at the site of the wound, accompanied by mild pain. But do not worry - the bite of this spider is not dangerous to human health.
