Batozonellus lacerticida

Description

Batozonellus lacerticida can reach a length of about 14 millimetres (0.55 in). These spider hunting wasps have a mainly black body, with yellow markings on the abdomen. Wings are orange, with a brownish band on the tips of the forewings.

Biology

This species hunts large orb weaver spiders (Araneidae family), mainly Argiope bruennichii, Argiope lobata, Araneus angulatus and Araneus ventricosus. The wasps paralyze these spiders with their poisonous stings and drag them into their underground nests. Then they lay an egg into the abdomen of their prey.

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe.