If we were to rank the natural enemies of spiders by their threat levels, the various bee species would surely take the top spot.
Aggressive killer bees and hornets would turn spiders into meatballs to carry back to the nest and feed their larvae. Parasitic bees, such as the spider-hunting wasp and mud dauber, lay their eggs directly on the back of the spider, turning the spider into the first meal for the hatching larvae. Even the docile-looking bees would sometimes attack spiders. In most cases, spiders are completely dominated by bees.
At the apex of bee social structure is the Queen Bee—the so-called Bee King or Bee Monarch—who generally isn't responsible for fighting. Her main job is to reproduce.
Sound familiar? Actually, these two creatures, bees, and ants, are closely related. Even in modern times, species like the flying ant serve as direct evidence of their kinship, so it's not surprising that their social structures are similar.
