Tarantula Hawk Wasp

Arid and semi-arid regions, grasslands, woodlands, and deserts around the world, especially in the southwestern United States.

Adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. The larvae are carnivorous, feeding on tarantulas paralyzed by the female wasp.

Female tarantula hawk wasps are solitary hunters. They sting and paralyze tarantulas, then drag them to a burrow where they lay a single egg on the spider's abdomen. The wasp larva hatches and feeds on the living but paralyzed tarantula. Males patrol for females and nectar sources. They are generally not aggressive towards humans but will deliver a powerfully painful sting if provoked.

Risk: Their sting is considered one of the most painful insect stings in the world, though not typically medically dangerous for humans unless allergic. Benefit: They play a role in controlling tarantula populations, and adults are pollinators of various flowers.