Tarantula hawk

The tarantula hawk is a large species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. These wasps belong to the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis. They are classified as parasitoids. This means they use a living host to provide food for their young. The tarantula hawk is famous for its relationship with tarantula spiders. This relationship is central to how the wasp survives and reproduces.

The life cycle of the tarantula hawk is a very specific biological process. It begins when a female wasp hunts for a tarantula. She stings the spider between its legs to cause paralysis. Once the spider cannot move, the wasp drags it to a prepared burrow. She lays a single egg on the spider's abdomen. Then, she covers the entrance of the nest. The egg hatches into a larva. This larva makes a hole in the spider to enter its body. The larva eats the host but avoids vital organs. This keeps the spider alive for several weeks. Eventually, the larva pupates and becomes an adult wasp.

There are different types of these wasps depending on where they live. The genus Pepsis is entirely restricted to the New World. In the United States, there are eighteen species of Pepsis. Two common species are Pepsis grossa and Pepsis thisbe. These two are difficult to distinguish from one another. However, Pepsis grossa often has a metallic blue body and reddish antennae. Both species have bright orange wings that become transparent at the tips.

These wasps have a very wide global distribution. They are found on all continents except for Antarctica. Their range extends from the Mediterranean basin to Southeast Asia. They are also found in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. In the Americas, Pepsis species live from Logan, Utah, down to Argentina. South America is home to at least 250 different species. In the United States, they are mostly found in the deserts of the Southwest.

Physical traits help the tarantula hawk survive in the wild. They have blue-black bodies and bright, rust-colored wings. Some species have black wings with blue highlights. This bright coloring is known as aposematic coloration. It serves as a warning to predators about their powerful sting. The females also have long legs with hooked claws to grapple with spiders. The stinger of a female Pepsis grossa can be quite long.

The sting of the tarantula hawk is legendary for its intensity. Entomologist Justin O. Schmidt rated it near the top of the Schmidt sting pain index. It is considered the second most painful sting, following only the bullet ant. He described the sensation as "blinding, fierce, and shockingly electric." While the pain is excruciating and can cause a person to scream, it is not dangerous. The intense pain usually only lasts about five minutes. Most people only experience local redness for up to a week.

Adult tarantula hawks are nectarivorous, meaning they feed on nectar. They visit flowers from milkweed, western soapberry trees, or mesquite trees. While they are active in the summer, they avoid high temperatures. Males and females both feed on nectar, but males do not hunt. Males engage in a behavior called hill-topping. They sit on top of tall plants to watch for females. They can stay in these spots for hours into the afternoon. Because of their sting, very few animals eat them. The roadrunner is one of the few predators that can. Many other insects, like moths and beetles, mimic their colors to stay safe.

The tarantula hawk even has a connection to human history and culture. In 1989, the state of New Mexico chose it as their official state insect. This choice was made by a group of elementary school children from Edgewood. They researched state insects and sent ballots to all schools in the state. The tarantula hawk won the statewide election. This shows how even small scientific discoveries can impact a community.