Stenogastrinae - Hover Wasp

I have spent a couple of years trying to get a decent shot of this hover wasp stealing food from the web of the Nephila pilipes’ web. It is not an uncommon site, but the wasp is shy, and it always seems to be inaccessible. The event only lasts a second or two and it is all over.

And now, I find that I cannot get an ID beyond family. Still, it is worth posting to show you the crazy things that go on in the bug world.

Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.

comments (3)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Fascinating behavior! How does it not stick to the web? Posted 9 years ago
1. Vodkaman
  
  Lion
  
  It does not actually touch the web, it hovers, moves in and grips the food. It would not have the strength to break the grip of the sticky web, so either the good tears apart or the wasp slips the web. I could not get close enough to determine.
  
  In fact, you can see one strand of the web has been cut!
  
  Dave Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Indeed, cool little detail :) Posted 9 years ago

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