A short time ago I noticed, scurrying across the mulch in our back garden, what appeared to be large garden spider, carrying a moth/butterfly. The moth/butterfly was bright orange, about 2cms long and 1 cm wide, wings folded down. But, the legs of the spider were not moving--strange. They reached a hole that had been dug, under a rock. The moth/butterfly dropped the spider, scratched around a bit and then hauled the spider into its burrow. No photo of course, but all this happened so quickly that I would not have had time to get inside for my camera anyway. I shall keep an eye on that hole
Elizabeth
This must be what it was
Spider-hunting Wasp
Colour: bright orange & black
Active period of Adults: Spring & Summer
Status/distribution: common in Victoria
General notes: These wasps are excellent hunters, adult females paralyze spiders with a sting, which are then to be stored in underground burrows & become food source for spider wasp grubs.
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