Tarantula Hawk

Description:

Tarantula Hawk (Pepsis sp.): These beautiful wasps can measure up to two inches. They are are metallic blue-black with impressive orange wings, an aposematic coloration which warns potential predators. Tarantula hawks require a tarantula to serve as a host for their larvae. Female wasps look for a tarantula which she stings to paralyze it. After dragging her prey into a burrow she lays one egg on the paralyzed spider. After the egg hatches the wasp (baby) will eat the spider from the inside.

Habitat:

This specimen was found in a Honey mesquite.