CLOSED: Hunter Wasps

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Ozark Ozark, MO(Zone 6a) Aug 18, 2007

I picked my bush beans this morning, and I was having fun watching the little black wasps hunting in the bean rows.

They're about 3/4" long and they fly real fast, never more than 2' off the ground. There were 5 or 6 of them at all times, constantly zipping up and down the rows, between the plants, and under the leaves. They weren't working any other veggies, only the beans.

I saw one on the ground, rapidly dragging a big wolf spider backwards. The spider was upright but it wasn't moving - it had been stung and paralyzed, I'm sure. I was going to get the camera, but I soon lost the one dragging the spider. I've got about 2" of grass clippings mulch on my garden, and I'm sure the wasp must have dragged the spider underneath it. He was quick.

I got a good look at the one dragging the spider. The black wings fold straight back, so I couldn't see the body. It had two thin antennae about 3/16" long, and they were orange. Watching the wasps in flight, I think they have a bit of a lighter color on their bodies, maybe light tan or yellow. They're so quick it's hard to see - it's like trying to watch a fly.

Does anybody here know what these hard-working little wasps are? They didn't bother me any, and though I know the wolf spider wasn't a pest I wonder if they hunt damaging insects also.

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bigcityal Appleton, WI(Zone 5a) Aug 18, 2007

I don't know what they are. I know these black/blue ones hunt with yellowjackets on my milkweed.

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