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Batozonellus lacerticida
Spider hunting wasp belonging to the family Pompilidae. Batozonellus lacerticida can reach a length of about 14 millimetres. 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. 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.
Spotted on brambles in a dispersed pine tree forest, at the mountains. Parque Regional de la Sierra de Gredos
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec.; f/13; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired
Spotted on Jul 16, 2016
Submitted on Nov 8, 2016
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