Rare spider-hunting wasp species spotted in West Fife

West Fife man Colin Edwards, who lives near Charlestown, spotted the uncommon Dipogon variegatus at his home as it was dragging a spider into a hole.

The keen photographer grabbed his camera and was able to capture images before sending them off to ascertain exactly what it was.

Colin, who is the national environment manager with Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), explained: "I specialise in macro photography, which means taking really close-up, detailed images of very small things.

"I am always finding interesting insects in FLS plantations, in my own garden or out and about in Fife.

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“When I first spotted the spider-hunting wasp, it was dragging a paralysed crab spider into a hole in my house wall. I managed to get several action photos and collected a specimen for expert identification.

“I didn’t recognise the species, so I sent it to a contact who specialises in recording invertebrates in Fife.

“We submitted it to the National Museums for Scotland Collection Centre for verification, and it’s now on the map for Fife.”

Colin says this is the first time the species has been recorded in Fife in many years but that doesn’t mean the wasp is necessarily only present in this part of the Kingdom, or more widely in Scotland.

“People don’t pay as much attention to insect species as they do to bigger, more enigmatic creatures like red squirrels or pine martens," he added.

"People often think the only wasp we have is the common wasp, which is recognisable in its distinctive yellow and black stripes. But we have numerous species of solitaire wasps too, along with these spider hunters.

“Alongside this spider-hunter I have also found Scotland’s second record of the ruby tailed wasp, Trichrysis cyanea, the only entirely metallic blue wasp in Britain, on a restock site in Devilla forest.

“Wasps are often overlooked, despite how important they are. They keep pesky insect populations like aphids, caterpillars and flies under control, which benefits gardeners and farmers. They also do a great job at pollinating plants as they too visit flowers for nectar and in the process transfer pollen.

“And in this case, they help control spiders.

“In my day job at FLS, I work to protect and enhance the environment and increase the biodiversity value of the nine per cent of Scotland’s land area we look after. There is hidden biodiversity value in the plantations and forests we manage for the timber products society needs, and it definitely carries over to my spare time.

“I would encourage people to look closer at all the little creepy crawlies and beasties that are all around us in Fife – you could be spotting a new or very special species that’s playing a critical role for our biodiversity.”