[Odonata-l] unusual predation of Cordulia shurtleffi?

[Fred SaintOurs]

A few weeks ago a friend here in eastern MA reported witnessing something similar in his back yard. He claims to have watched a giant Vespula crabro (a.k.a. the European Hornet) attack and consume a bright green dragonfly (likely Erythemis simplicicollis) in mid flight. It also seemed only interested in the head and flight muscle. 

FS
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kevin Hannah 
  To: Odonata-l at listhost.ups.edu 
  Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 12:02 PM
  Subject: [Odonata-l] unusual predation of Cordulia shurtleffi?



  I witnessed what I thought was quite an unusual predation event on a Cordulia shurtleffi this past month.  While walking along the brushy edge of a forest, I heard a small thump in the leaf litter, followed by some buzzing and thrashing.  When I got closer to investigate, I realized that it was an emerald being consumed (alive) by what appeared to be a bald-faced wasp (Dolichovespula maculata).  I had seen these wasps prey on horse flies (Hybomitra spp.) on the wing, but this was the first time I had seen this species with such a large and difficult prey item.  I can only assume that the wasp captured the emerald while sunning high up in one of the nearby spruce trees.  I can't imagine that the wasp would have been capable of taking such a large prey item on the wing.  The wasp consumed the eyes and a portion of the thorax before flying off.  Not sure how common an event this would be, though an exciting one from my standpoint!

  Kevin Hannah
  Edmonton, Alberta

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