spider wasp

noun

1. any of certain wasps, especially of the family Pompilidae, that provision their nests with paralyzed spiders.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spider wasp¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The sibling, let’s call him Brother, was taken captive by a tarantula hawk, a massive spider wasp that grows to two inches long.

From Scientific American

These include two new fish, subspecies of birds and more than 150 insects, including a spider wasp, an insect that has venom "that could be useful for treating Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy," Dr. Juanita Rodriguez said.

From Fox News

"We discovered a new species of spider wasp that is only found in an area badly impacted by bushfires this summer, so now we can carefully monitor its recovery," Ms Rodriguez says.

From BBC

The iridescent blue-black insects with orange or blue-black wings are the largest members of the spider wasp family.

From Washington Times

New video taken in Sydney shows a large Huntsman spider getting dragged to its death by a massive spider wasp.

From National Geographic