Small fly with double spurs for ID

loripo · #1 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 09:36 PM

I saw this today - thought at first the fly, smaller than a housefly, was trying to carry a seed, but it is one of the small pale spiders that were also around.
What it is and does it use the spurs to capture other insects?

Thanks

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 09:47 PM

Hi Lori,

The fly is actually a wasp, most likely from the Pompilidae family of Spider-hunting Wasps. I can't really go further - someone else will

I wasn't aware they used spurs. If they do I suppose it keeps their legs free-ish to carry the weight of the spider as it walks off, or else it may be too heavy and slow it down?

Just my thoughts!

loripo · #3 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 03:12 PM

Thank you. I wouldnt have guessed they were wasps. I had a Google and apart from the fact that I kept getting info on Football teams (Spurs & Wasps)

, there were some good bits. It was described as doing 'swift agile running' rather than flying which it did. What it was going to do with the spider is a bit gruesome, but ce la vie I suppose. They must have been around a lot longer than us - I wonder if there are any fossils?