Tarantula Hawk

A tarantula hawk is a spider wasp (Pompilidae) that preys on tarantulas. Tarantula hawks belong to any of the many species in the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis. They are some of the largest parasitoid wasps, using their sting to paralyze their prey before dragging it into a brood nest as living food; a single egg is laid on the prey, hatching to a larva, which then eats the still-living host. They are found on all continents other than Antarctica. Scientific Name: Pepsis grossa Range: American Southwest, Mexico, Central America Size: Up to 5 cm — one of the largest wasps Status: Native ID Notes: Iridescent blue-black body with bright orange wings. Long legs. Behavior / Notes: Sting ranks 4.0 on Schmidt Pain Index — one of the most painful insect stings on Earth. Paralyzes tarantulas to feed larvae. New Mexico state insect.