Ichneumon Spider hunting?

[col188]

Appears to be hunting Spiders around a window in the garage. The Spiders are very wary, as it attempts to lure them out by tangling itself in the webs.
IDs if poss

Col

[Jason Green]

Hi Colin,

Nice sequence

Did the Ichneumon escape? I think it's from the Anomaloninae sub-family, but the fact it's quite distinctive-looking aside I can't go any further. Very pretty it is too! The spider looks like a Zygiella X-notata, though it could be a similar-looking relative from the same Araneidae family I suppose.

Take care,

Jason

[col188]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Hi Colin,

Nice sequence

Did the Ichneumon escape? I think it's from the Anomaloninae sub-family, but the fact it's quite distinctive-looking aside I can't go any further. Very pretty it is too! The spider looks like a Zygiella X-notata, though it could be a similar-looking relative from the same Araneidae family I suppose.

Take care,

Jason

Hi Jason
I thought Z. x-notata likely, got quite a few pics. This collection with spiders in the frame found more interesting
It was there for 2 days, going around all the Spiders webs. I'm pretty sure it was trying to lure them out.
A strong possibility it's Tromatobia lineatoria see
Tromatobia lineatoria.
Col

Ps No signs of it being capture, so pretty sure it was safe away.

[ChrisR]

Nice photo sequence showing some interesting behaviour I'd certainly go along with Tromatobia sp. (there are a few reddish species but I think oculatoria/lineatoria is the commonest). Tromatobia spp. are all pseudoparasites* of exposed spider egg sacs so your wasp was eyeing-up the spider's eggs

*a pseudoparasite because the larvae actually feed on successive eggs (so more than one victim) within the sac, making them ovivores, or predators rather than true parasitoids

[nikolai_avenger]

I would stick my neck out and go with Tromatobia sp., had a similar one ID'd myself on the HymIS forum recently. Mine was also very interested in some Zygiella x-notata spiders. My subsequent research suggests they are more interested in the spider's egg sac, and this tallies with what I saw as they seem to first lure out the spider and then investigate the egg sac area while the spider is busy elsewhere.

Best regards, Nik.

[nikolai_avenger]

Sorry, meant to say, fantastic pictures by the way!

[col188]

Thanks
Legs still ache from balancing on the steps for hrs, but well worth it.
Col

[JRsbugs]

I have had the same wasp, I got a few reasonable pics when it stayed a little longer than usual (had a quick clean of it's ovipositor) but it was on the move in general. Last time I saw it my sensor was starting to fog up (those very warm days on top of cold nights!) so I was on my way inside to dry it off when I spotted it, it had it's wings out in a perfect pose, pics not too bad considering.

I do have some spiders where it was landing, around my south facing door (which I don't use) but I didn't see it hunting them out, probably checking on them though!

Nice shots you got with the spide col!

Janet

[col188]

Thanks Janet, ChrisR and Nik

Fascinating to observe its strategy which it repeated tirelessly.
Visiting each of three Spiders webs Z. x-notata, Tegenaria and Lyniphidae.
Not so much interested in the female Lynipdidae and skirting around the 2 males.

Be interesting to see your pics Janet.

Col

[JRsbugs]

As requested!