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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 one 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 eats the still-living host.
Hemipepsis is a genus of large pepsine spider wasps found throughout the tropics. They are commonly known as tarantula hawks. Hemipepsis wasps are morphologically similar to the related genera Pepsis and Entypus, but distinguishable by the pattern of wing venation. [3]
Pepsis mildei, also known as Milde's tarantula-hawk wasp, is a species of predatory spider wasp native to the Western Hemisphere. These wasps capture live tarantulas to feed to their larva; the adults graze on flowers. [1] Tarantula hawks generally have no meaningful predators. [2]
Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. [2] As of December 2023, 1,100 species have been identified, with 166 genera. [3] The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although many other members of the same infraorder (Mygalomorphae) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas".
Pepsis versus tarantula in Arizona. Pepsis (from Ancient Greek πέψι lit. pepsis meaning 'digestion, cooking') is a genus of spider wasps belonging to the family Pompilidae. Species within this genus are also called tarantula hawks, as they usually hunt tarantulas, similarly to many species in the genus Hemipepsis.
Hemipepsis ustulata is a species of tarantula hawk wasp native to the Southwestern United States.Tarantula hawks are a large, conspicuous family of long-legged wasps that prey on tarantulas by using their long legs to grapple with their prey and then paralyze them with a powerful sting (ranked as one of the most painful in the insect world by the Schmidt sting pain index).
The adults feed on the nectar of various flowers, many of which are specialised to be pollinated by this species and its cogeners. [3] The females hunt on the ground for spiders of the family Theraphosidae [4] and rain spiders of the genus Palystes which are paralysed with the female's sting to provide a food for the wasp's larva.
Pepsis albocincta is a species of spider wasps belonging to the family Pompilidae. [1] These wasps are also called tarantula hawks, as they usually hunt tarantulas, similarly to many species in the genus Hemipepsis.