Spider hawk in sand dunes: Anoplius bicinctus (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), a parasitoid wasp of the sex-role reversed spider Allocosa brasiliensis (Araneae: Lycosidae)

摘要

In general pompilid wasps parasitize female spiders due to their larger size and/or higher fat reserves compared to males. We describe parasitoid behavior of the pompilid wasp Anoplius bicinctus on Allocosa brasiliensis and investigate the frequencies of parasitoidism according to spider developmental stage. We performed field observations and recorded frequency and duration of parasitoidism behaviors, stage and sex of the paralyzed spider (n = 29). We found two distinct behaviors of carrying the spider (forward transport or backward transport), that were dependent of wasp size and were maintained during the transport process. Juveniles and females of A. brasiliensis showed higher frequencies of parasitoidism compared to males, although males are larger and have higher fat content, suggesting more efficient defenses against wasp attacks in this sex.