A. viaticus is a large species of spider-hunting wasp and measures about 14 millimetres (0.55 in) in length.

The spider is injected with venom to paralyse it and is dragged back to the chosen nesting location.

Wasps have been observed to deposit their paralysed prey in grassy areas, where it is perhaps less visible to conspecifics, while the nest burrow is dug.

Even after the burrow is sealed, it is not entirely safe, as other wasps may try to unseal it and lay their eggs on the prey, a practice known as brood parasitism.

They seem to be concerned for the safety of their future offspring because they frequently interrupt their hunting to return to the nest site, and the clustering of the burrows makes their defence easier.