Ouch
Today I watched mortal combat outside my office window. The pumpkin spider who lives on my screen was attacked by a large black wasp. I thought at first that the spider had been hunting the wasp, but after several flyoffs and subsequent attacks, it was clear the wasp was the aggressor. I’ve known this spider since the spring, so I am somewhat attached. Unfortunately, by the time I realized what was going on, it was too late.
After ten minutes or so of ambush attacks by the wasp, the spider finally chased off the wasp, then slowly hauled himself off to hide, dazed with venom. Only to be attacked again. The spider fell, wasp following closely behind. After a few buzzing minutes below my windowsill, the wasp rose again, battered itself against my screen a few times, and flew off.
I assume the spider was used as a host for a wasp egg. Or maybe the wasp was pissed and needed someone to take out her aggression on.
