Wasp (which species?) waiting for prey!

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 08:15 AM

OK, this wasp hadn't found the nicest place to go hunting... it looks like hedgehog poo to me! I spotted it sitting on top of the poo "waiting". Intrigued, I sat and watched. Soon a bluebottle came down to the poo (as they do) and the wasp pounced, then flew off with the fly. It did this again and again. I've never seen this behaviour before... although for all I know it's quite common (I must admit I don't make a habit of watching poo...)

Any idea on what wasp it was?

Thanks. Jane

lync · #2 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 09:22 AM

nice observation; looks like Mellinus arvensis.

tigger · #3 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 09:41 AM

Thanks lync. Looking up more details on M arvensis, it does say that they like "hanging around" mammalian dung for prey... I guess it's as good a place as any to wait for flies!