A Remarkable Discovery: Exploring a Rare Eresus and Spider Wasp Interaction

Posted by
  Photo Credit: © Antonino Rametta . All photographs are used with permission. No part of these images may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without the prior written permission of the photographer. A Remarkable Discovery: Exploring a Rare Eresus and Spider Wasp Interaction One of the most rewarding aspects of maintaining Arácnido Taxonomy is hearing from naturalists and photographers around the world who take the time to share their discoveries. Every so often, an email arrives that immediately captures your attention. Not because it claims to rewrite what we know about biodiversity, but because it documents something that very few people have the opportunity to witness. Recently, I was contacted by a naturalist in Sicily who shared a series of exceptionally high-quality photographs of a female ladybird spider ( Eresus ) during what appeared to be an interaction with a spider wasp. Along with the images came a simple question: "Could this be scientifically import...

Note on the introduced Asian mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) and its prey in Belgium

Posted by

 




Note on the introduced Asian mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) and its prey in Belgium

Abstract
This note documents the first observations of the prey of Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) in Belgium, recorded in the municipality of Jette (Brussels-Capital Region). The analysis of the paralyzed prey (n = 39) revealed the presence of nine spider species belonging to five families: Anyphaenidae, Araneidae, Philodromidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae. The family Araneidae dominates the trophic spectrum, represented mainly by juveniles of Araneus diadematus (Clerck, 1757). Two relatively rare species or species with a restricted regional distribution were identified: Macaroeris nidicolens (Walckenaer, 1802) (Salticidae) and Philodromus buxi (Simon, 1884) (Philodromidae). These data indicate opportunistic exploitation of spiders associated with upper (vegetation) layers and adaptation to anthropized habitats. The lack of marked trophic specialization in S. curvatum suggests a low risk of significant impact on native spider populations in Belgium. However, further quantitative studies are needed to assess potential competitive interactions with native arthropod predators. 

Henrard, Arnaud & Drumont, Hugo & Drumont, Alain. (2025). Note on the introduced Asian mud-dauber wasp Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870) and its prey in Belgium. 40. Journal of the Belgian Arachnological Society Volume 40 (1) 2025