Tarantula hawk

Tarantula Hawk

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Hexapoda
Class:	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Endopterygota
Order:	Hymenoptera
Suborder:	Apocrita
Superfamily:	Vespoidea
Family:	Pompilidae
Subfamily:	Pepsinae
Tribe:	Pepsini
Genus:	Pepsis & Hemipepsis

Tarantula Hawk Species

many

The Tarantula Hawk is the common name for certain wasps belonging to the Family Pompilidae, in the insect Order Hymenoptera. The Pompilidae are commonly referred to as spider wasps, with many species in the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis being called tarantula hawks due to their use of the tarantula as prey.

Female tarantula hawks hunt for tarantula burrows, or for male tarantulas out wandering. They capture (often following a dramatic battle), sting and paralyze the spider. Next they transport their prey to a specially prepared nest where a single egg is laid on the spiderÃÂs body, and the entrance is covered. The wasp larva, upon hatching, begins to consume the paralyzed spider while it is still alive, avoiding vital organs for as long as possible to keep it fresh. The adult wasp emerges from the nest to continue the life cycle. Very few animals are natural enemies to these wasps; the roadrunner being one example.

Worldwide distribution of tarantulas includes areas from India to SE Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, where these predatory wasps are also likely to be found. Taratula hawk species have been observed from as far north as Utah, in the United States, and south as far as Argentina in South America, with at least 250 species living in South America. Several species of tarantula hawk are found in the desert of the southwestern United States, with Pepsis formosa and Pepsis thisbe being common.