Tarantula hawks are large wasps. They can grow up to 2 inches in length. They have dark blue, iridescent bodies, bright orange wings, and long legs. Males have straight antennae, females have curly antennae. A tarantula hawk is a spider wasp that preys on tarantulas. They paralyze their prey before dragging it to a brood nest as living food for their larvae. Luckily, encountering a tarantula hawk is rare.
Although the sting of this wasp is extremely painful, it is not aggressive and rarely stings humans. Tarantula hawks are found on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. Their capability of strategically hunting tarantulas clearly indicates that they are efficient. Out of 400 battles between tarantulas and tarantula hawks, the wasps only lost once. Only a few animals, such as roadrunners, eat tarantula hawks.
The tarantula hawk flies around searching for prey like a hawk. There are many species of tarantula hawk. The pain from their sting is described as an “electric shock-like pain” that can last for minutes. Their venom is not lethal to humans, but it can cause nausea and dizziness. The venom contains a neurotoxin that paralyzes prey and deters predators.
Even so, if a tarantula is close to its burrow during a confrontation, it has a chance against the wasp. Tarantulas can act aggressively but are not deadly to humans. Their bite hurts less than a bee sting. Hawks aggressively protect their nests. They will harm pets, livestock, and spread diseases. Yet, they cannot lift prey larger than themselves.
Where do tarantula hawks live in the US?
Tarantula hawks live in deserts of southwest US. Pepsis thisbe is seen in Grand Canyon. Females hunt tarantulas to feed larvae. They paralyze tarantula, drag it to den and lay eggs on it. Larvae eat paralyzed spider. Sting is one of most painful. They rarely sting humans. In Phoenix, spot them on Camelback Mountain. They don’t build nests, burrow in soil. Have few predators – roadrunners and bullfrogs.
Tarantula hawk is state insect of New Mexico. Sting pain feels pure and brilliant. They are found in southwest deserts. To get rid of them, wear protective clothing and apply insecticide dust to nest entrance. Make homemade traps for chemical-free alternative. Females give tarantula hawks their name. They require spider to serve as host for larvae. Tarantula is preferred.
They are common in California and Southwest. Found anywhere tarantula lives. Can exceed 1.5 inches long. Widespread in San Diego County. Found along San Dieguito River Park. Females hunt tarantulas to feed larvae. Good place to spot in Phoenix is Camelback Mountain. They create burrows to nest, not hives.
Several tarantula hawk species in southwest deserts. Pepsis formosa and Pepsis thisbe are common. Hemipepsis genus also called tarantula hawks. Difficult to distinguish species. If see one, stay calm and move away. Pepsis thisbe grows to 2 inches long. Have dark blue, orange wings and long legs. Males have straight antennae, females curly. Live on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. Prey on tarantulas.
Females hunt tarantulas to feed larvae. Sting paralyzes tarantula. Drags it to den and lays eggs on it. Larva eats paralyzed spider over weeks. One of most painful stings on planet. Females dig burrows, cover after finding enough spiders to feed young. Provide food and safety for eggs. Deadly sting, use different hunting strategies.
Can a spider survive a tarantula hawk sting?
A tarantula hawk stings a tarantula. The venom paralyzes the spider almost instantly. Some wasps paralyze tarantulas then use them as food. Tarantulas feed on small invertebrates. A few venomous spiders can kill humans. Methods exist to kill brown recluse spiders. Both humans and tarantulas survive a sting. Some wasp stings are more painful than bullet ants.
Tarantula hawks paralyze tarantulas then lay eggs on them. The eggs hatch and the larvae eat the still living spider. Tarantula hawks attack tarantulas. The wasp larvae eats the nonvital organs first. All spider wasps hunt large spiders including tarantulas. Tarantulas can survive the stings.
The female attacks and paralyzes the tarantula. She drags it to her nest with an egg on it. Unfertilized eggs become males. Fertilized eggs become females.
It’s unlikely a tarantula bite kills a human. Other spiders are more dangerous like widows. Spiders can hurt dogs with their venom. Some spiders can bite dogs and cats.
Do tarantula hawks only eat tarantulas?
Tarantula hawks belong to two genera, Pepsis and Hemipepsis. They are spider wasps that prey on tarantulas. The wasps paralyze tarantulas and use them as living food for their larvae.
Only female tarantula hawks hunt tarantulas. They search the ground for tarantulas. If a tarantula is in its burrow, the wasp will stroke its web. This makes the tarantula think it has captured prey. When the tarantula appears, the wasp stings and paralyzes it.
Adult tarantula hawks feed on nectar. They help pollinate the plants they visit. The larvae eat the paralyzed tarantulas provided by the female wasps.
Tarantula hawks have few predators due to their large stingers. Only roadrunners and bullfrogs prey on them.
The tarantula hawk is the state insect of New Mexico. It is one of the largest parasitoid wasps. They can reach two inches in length.
Tarantulas are preyed on by a variety of species. Lizards, snakes, birds, coyotes and foxes eat them. The goliath bird-eating spider is the world’s largest spider. It has a defense mechanism to deter predators.
The sting of the tarantula hawk is extremely painful to humans. But the wasps are not aggressive and rarely sting people.