Spider Hunting Wasp vs Rain Spider
I am not a walking encyclopedia, research and write about what made me excited enough to go head on into battle with this aggressive wasp. Not quite a battle, although beautifully coloured wasp definitely stands it's ground, lets see why!
Spider was paralyzed by the time I noticed the action of the wasp dragging this up a wall, dropped once went down to retrieve then persisted single minded on it's journey.
Back up the wall over the trellis into the Natal Plum down into a dark damp corner on the ground next to the wall around the corner. Could have walked through the opening, turned a sharp left and been exactly where she wanted, perhaps she enjoys showing off her strength going uphill first!
Looking at both species one can see equal in sizing, both big insects go! Wasp has the advantage of flying in to sting....
Immobilized by poisonous sting before being dragged to the nest where a single egg will be laid in the spiders abdomen, wasp will seal the nest entrance and leave, I know where it's hide hole is and it sure is safe!
Large spiders will be host to future female wasps, smaller spiders to male wasps, how absurd nature is and wonderful.
Approximately ten days larva will eat its way out of the spider, spin a cocoon in silk and remain dormant until right temperature before emerging as an adult. Oh dear she dropped him, quick catch a snap!
When next you out in the garden then witness a wasp doing a tango back and forth, look carefully around she may be hunting a spider for her next stage in creation of life for her species. Wasp standing her ground between me and the spider, ready to take me on, no fighting, keep going dear!
Rain Spider - Palystes
Twenty eight Palystes species occur in central, eastern and southern Africa with 13 resident in South Africa Source
I would narrow this one down to Palystes superciliosus is the most common and widespread species of the genus and ranges from Kwazulu-Natal westwards to Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, Eastern and Western Cape, (found in same source of information above.
Spider Hunting Wasp - Tachypompilus ignitus
Spider wasp is found in Southern Africa, recorded from South Africa and Zimbabwe. These wasps are about 45 mm in length. They are largely black with orange antennae, orange dital parts of the legs, and largely orange wings, which are dark at the base and tip. Source
**Short video I took of the two going up!**
Amazing Nature Contest: Thematic Challenge - #6/2 - Up Close host 
@bucipuci
All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS camera. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer in nature, keep smiling!
Thought for Today: "Several repeated visits to the mud pit enable the wasp to build its house. - African proverb
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