Tarantula-hawk
Guides
Hemipepsis
tarantula hawks, Old and New World Tarantula-hawk Wasps
Hemipepsis is a genus of large spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as tarantula hawks. The genus contains approximately 180 species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with significant diversity in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Hemipepsis wasps are distinguished from the related genus Pepsis by subtle differences in wing venation patterns. In South Africa, Hemipepsis wasps serve as exclusive pollinators for 18 plant species across three families (Apocynaceae, Orchidaceae, and Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloodeae). The genus has been extensively studied for its complex male territorial behavior, particularly in the North American species H. ustulata.
Hemipepsis toussainti
Hemipepsis toussainti is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1928. It belongs to the genus Hemipepsis, which includes large, predatory spider wasps that paralyze tarantulas to provision their nests. The species is part of a diverse group of tarantula hawks found in western North America. Very few observations of this species have been recorded.
Hemipepsis ustulata
Flamed Tarantula-hawk Wasp, tarantula hawk
Hemipepsis ustulata is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as a tarantula hawk. It is native to the Southwestern United States and is among the largest Hymenoptera, reaching up to 5 cm in length. Females hunt tarantulas, paralyzing them with a powerful sting to serve as living food for their larvae. Males exhibit complex lekking territorial behavior, defending prominent perches on hilltops to intercept receptive females. The species has matte black coloration with rust-orange wings, distinguishing it from the iridescent blue-black Pepsis species.
Pepsini
Tarantula-hawk Wasps and Allies
Pepsini is a tribe of spider wasps within the family Pompilidae, comprising approximately 11 genera and at least 40 described species. The tribe includes the well-known genus *Pepsis*, commonly called tarantula hawks, which are among the largest spider wasps. Members of Pepsini are specialized predators that hunt spiders as hosts for their offspring. The tribe has undergone taxonomic revision, with several genera transferred to the separate tribes Deuterageniini and Priocnemini.
Pepsis
tarantula hawks, New World Tarantula-hawk Wasps
Pepsis is a genus of large spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as tarantula hawks. These wasps are among the largest stinging insects in the world and are restricted to the Americas. Females hunt tarantulas and other large mygalomorph spiders, paralyzing them with a sting to serve as living food for their larvae. Adults feed primarily on nectar, especially from milkweed flowers. The genus is closely related to Hemipepsis, which occurs in both Old and New Worlds.
Pepsis basifusca
tarantula hawk
Pepsis basifusca is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Lucas in 1895. As a member of the genus Pepsis, it is a large, solitary spider wasp that hunts tarantulas to provision nests for its larvae. The species is part of a diverse genus of tarantula hawks found primarily in the Americas, known for their potent sting and aposematic coloration.
Pepsis chrysothemis
Pepsis chrysothemis is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as a tarantula hawk. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Females hunt tarantulas, paralyzing them with a sting and laying a single egg on the immobilized spider. The species exhibits the classic tarantula hawk coloration of iridescent blue-black body with orange wings, though some individuals may show variation.
Pepsis grossa
tarantula hawk, New Mexico state insect
Pepsis grossa is one of the largest spider wasps in North America, reaching up to 51 mm in females. This species hunts tarantulas exclusively, paralyzing them with a sting to serve as living food for its larvae. The sting is considered among the most painful of any insect, though not medically dangerous to humans. The species exhibits three distinct color morphs—orange-winged (xanthic), black-winged (melanic), and a dark-amber intermediate form (lygamorphic)—that are geographically segregated across its broad range from the southern United States to northern South America. It was designated the state insect of New Mexico in 1989.
Pepsis menechma
Elegant Tarantula Hawk
Pepsis menechma, commonly known as the elegant tarantula hawk, is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. In 2005, Vardy synonymized 18 previously recognized species under this name, establishing it as a single widespread transamerican species with extensive color variation across its range. The species is distributed from North America through South America. Like other tarantula hawks, females hunt tarantulas as hosts for their larvae.
Pepsis mexicana
Mexican tarantula-hawk wasp
Pepsis mexicana is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt and paralyze large theraphosid spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species is notable for its relatively small size compared to other Pepsis species and its distinctive wing markings. Both sexes feed on nectar from flowering plants.
Pepsis mildei
Milde's tarantula-hawk wasp, Milde's tarantula hawk
Pepsis mildei is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as Milde's tarantula-hawk wasp. It is native to the Western Hemisphere, with documented records across the southwestern and central United States, Mexico, and Central America. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in antennae structure and lifespan, with females living longer than males. Adults feed on nectar from flowers, while larvae are obligate parasitoids of tarantulas. The wasp has been observed to learn from experience, avoiding chemically defended spiders after a single negative encounter.
Pepsis pallidolimbata
tarantula hawk
Pepsis pallidolimbata is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Pepsis, it shares the characteristic large size and distinctive coloration of tarantula hawks, with females possessing a potent sting used to paralyze tarantula prey. The species was described by Lucas in 1895. Like other Pepsis species, females hunt tarantulas to provision nests for their larvae, while adults of both sexes feed on nectar.
Pepsis thisbe
Thisbe's tarantula-hawk wasp
Pepsis thisbe is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as Thisbe's tarantula-hawk wasp. Females are 32–44 mm in length with a dark blue body and orange wings. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females have curly antennae and a 7 mm stinger, while males have straight antennae and lack stingers entirely. Adults are nectarivorous, feeding primarily on flowers, but females hunt tarantulas as food for their larvae. The species is distributed throughout the American Southwest in desert areas.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
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