Spider Wasps
The Tarantula Hawk is one of the largest and most spectacular wasps in North America. It is famous for hunting tarantulas, which females paralyze and use to provision their nests. Its sting is rated among the most painful of any insect by the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, but it is not aggressive toward humans and stings are extremely rare. It is the state insect of New Mexico.
Species in This Group (1)
Key Behaviors
Solitary wasp. Females hunt tarantulas by engaging them in combat, paralyzing them with a powerful sting, and dragging them to a burrow where a single egg is laid on the spider. Males patrol hilltops and flower patches for mates. Generally docile toward humans.
Risks & Concerns
Sting is extremely painful (rated 4 out of 4 on the Schmidt Pain Index) though not medically dangerous. Stings are very rare as the wasp is not aggressive toward humans.
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