Predator vs predator

nikv(73)
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This morning, I saw a very active gecko that appeared to be hunting a wasp but then the gecko lost interest, perhaps my arrival made him retreat. Then I saw why the wasp hadn't simply flown away: its a spider-hunting wasp that had caught and paralysed a Hackled mesh weaver spider. The spider's mouthparts were still moving but it was otherwise completely paralysed.

wasp and spider1.jpg

With the gecko out of the way, the wasp flipped the spider over, got a good grip and then started walking rapidly backwards, dragging the much-larger spider along.

spider and wasp2.jpg

At a pile of stones about 50cm away, the wasp stopped and took a rest and then dragged the spider in under the stones.

wasp and spider3.jpg

There, it will lay and egg on the spider and bury it in the soil. The paralysed spider will remain fresh and the wasp larvae will hatch and feed off the spider.

All three of these creatures: the gecko, spider and wasp are very common in my garden and it's clearly a race for each of the hunters not to get caught themselves. The geckos live in fear of the cats

Please excuse the quality of the picture, this all happened very quickly and I could only snap away with my cellphone in the few minutes that this episode played out

Predator vs predator | Ecency