Aussie Wasp On the Hunt for Redback Spiders

[xchrom]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120911102950.htm

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A redback spider-hunting wasp dragging its paralysed prey back to its nest. (Credit: Florian and Peter Irwin)

ScienceDaily (Sep. 11, 2012) — University of Adelaide researchers say a small wasp that scientists had forgotten about for more than 200 years is now making a name for itself -- as a predator of Australia's most common dangerous spider, the redback.

The wasp (Agenioideus nigricornis) was first described scientifically in 1775 by Danish entomologist Johan Christian Fabricius, thanks to samples collected in Australia during Captain Cook's first great voyage (1768-1771).

"Since then, scientists have largely forgotten about the wasp," says Professor Andy Austin from the University of Adelaide's Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology & Biodiversity. "It is widespread across Australia and can be found in a number of collections, but until now we haven't known the importance of this particular species."

[2on2u]

1. Where can I buy a couple dozen? I've got redbacks, brown, white and black widows in

every nook and cranny. Most of the mud daubers and other bees just wind up as food for these 8 legged monsters.