[Odonata-l] unusual predation of Cordulia shurtleffi?

[Erik Pilgrim]

Hi Lynn and everyone,
 
Interesting story. I just wanted to point out that it probably wasn't a
spider wasp as the adults aren't really known to feed much on solid
food--they tend to drink nectar and/or hemolymph from the wound caused
by paralyzing a spider. More likely that it was a darkly colored paper
wasp (Polistes, maybe fuscata?).
 
Erik

________________________________

From: odonata-l-bounces at listhost.ups.edu on behalf of Lynn Harper
Sent: Wed 7/18/2007 6:43 PM
To: Odonata-l at listhost.ups.edu
Subject: Re: [Odonata-l] unusual predation of Cordulia shurtleffi?



In yet another wasp-ode interaction, about 6 weeks ago I was walking
near a flood control dam in Oxford, MA, when I heard that distinctive
buzz of captured-dragonfly wings.  I tracked down the noise and found an
Epitheca wrestling on the ground with a much smaller brown wasp
(possibly a spider-killing wasp, as best as I can identify).  I assume
the wasp had stung the baskettail before I happened on the scene, but
while I was there, the wasp wrestled with the dragonfly for a minute or
so, till the ode calmed down somewhat.  Then the wasp proceeded to
neatly chew off the wing bases and abdomen, all in one piece, followed
by chewing off the head.  Finally, the wasp manipulated the thorax for
ten seconds or so, and then flew off with it.  It appeared as though the
thorax was quite a big load for the wasp.

Utterly fascinating, if a bit on the gruesome side.

Lynn Harper

Athol, MA



	
________________________________

	From: "Fred SaintOurs" <fred.saintours at comcast.net>
	To: <Odonata-l at listhost.ups.edu>
	Subject: Re: [Odonata-l] unusual predation of Cordulia
shurtleffi?
	Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:22:56 -0400
	
	
	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 <mailto:kchannah at yahoo.com>  
		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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