Skip to main content
Close

Tarantula Hawk (Wasp)

Pepsis formosa

Photo by JudyCrawford
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

33.3117, -114.689

Field Notes

Description:

Black Body, Orange Wings. Up to 2 inches long.

Habitat:

Deserts of Southwest United States.

Notes:

The female tarantula hawk captures, stings, and paralyzes the spider, then either drags her prey back into her own burrow or transports it to a specially prepared nest, where a single egg is laid on the spider’s abdomen, and the entrance is covered. When the wasp larva hatches, it creates a small hole in the spider's abdomen, then enters and feeds voraciously.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Very, very painful yes, but dangerous only to the tarantula and those who are allergic to the sting.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon