About the Author

Keagan Chasenski

Guest contributor

Keagan has always had a connection with wildlife, having been lucky enough to visit Londolozi as a child. After growing up in Johannesburg, he attended boarding school in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands where weekends were spent exploring the reserve and appreciating his surroundings. ...

View Keagan's profile

19 Comments

on The Incredible Specialist: Spider-Hunting Wasp

Join the conversationJoin the conversation

Extremely interesting blog Keagan about this particular wasp. And yes, I’m looking forward to whatever humbling moments I may experience during my return visit in a couple of weeks!

Thank you Denise, and welcome back!

Senior Digital Ranger

Nicely done, Keagan.

Thank you Dave.

I often thought that insects are among the most “cruel” yet perfect creatures. After all they are the link between our terrestrial oxygen-makers and the other animals. Amazing works of evolution, also given that they are by far the largest animal phylum. Thank you for this precious tale (even though I feel very sorry for spiders!)

They most certainly are exceptionally interesting Francesca, and the more we observe them, the more we marvel at them! Forces of nature…

We experienced this type of wasp last August. At the time I could only picture the poor spider as one of the similarly situated colonists in Aliens, the 2nd movie, who were being kept admit alive to be fed on. Sorry for the detail but that’s what I pictured.

Certainly can agree with that analogy Willa!

Interesting blog Keagan. The smaller inhabitants of our world have truly adapted for survival. Wasps and spiders make for great scientific studies. Thanks again for my education.

Always fascinating to observe and study these animals, and it’s my pleasure William.

Please keep great stories like this coming.

Thank you Jeff, will do!

Keagan very interesting to read about the spider hunting wasp. Nature is phenomenal and we definitely learn something everyday from each other. That jumping spider foto with it’s hairy legs ,if I remember correctly they have 8 eyes. Very scarry and creepy, but nature is incredible and wonder. You are so privileged to be able to live there at Londolozi, paradise in one place.

Thank you Valmai. Indeed, paradise and what a privilege it is.
You are 100% correct, jumping spiders have 8 eyes in total, with the two forward-facing primary eyes being the largest. The secondary 6 eyes give them almost 360-degree vision!

Nature is indeed amazing. As you have just shown us again with your very interesting blog on this wasp and the use they make of spiders. There is always some new surprise when one studies nature.
Since I have started to visit the African bush on safaris, I have learned so much about nature from all the great rangers, guides, trackers I have met. 99% of them are such good, even fantastic teachers and scientists!

This is crazy Keagan! Thanks so much for this post – super fascinating!

It’s my pleasure Paul, I marvel at it every time I see one!

Keagan, Thanks for the interesting education on the wasps! Some of it is a bit hard to stomach, but that life in the wild!

It’s a pleasure Michael and Terri. Morbid I know, but as you say, that’s life in the wild.

Connect with Londolozi

Follow Us

One moment...
Anonymous
Be the first to this photo
You and 1 others this photo
q

Filed under
Anonymous
10 April, 2798
+
Add Profile