The Desert Tarantula, Aphonpelma chalcodes, is the most common tarantula seen in the Tucson area and is one of 30 species found in Arizona. Despite their name, tarantula hawks (Pepsis genus) are actually a species of spider wasp. If the wasp succeeds in stinging a male tarantula on a mating hunt, she will excavate a burrow, drag the paralyzed spider inside, lay her single egg, and seal the chamber. As one might hope, even for a spider, the tarantula at this point is finally dead. Africanized bees, yellow jackets, hornets, and bumble bees register a 2. Please enter 5 or 9 numbers for the ZIP Code. The Pepsis wasp, Pepsis formosa, is a large (up to 2 inches), bluish-black wasp with orange wings. Tarantulas are long lived spiders.
If the wasp egg fails to hatch, the spider can recover. Tarantula Hawks, a.k.a., Pepsis Wasps, have the most painful sting of any insect, and they live here in the southwestern desert. The female Desert Tarantula is usually tan or brownish, while the male is darker, usually with black or dark legs and a reddish abdomen. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. If you notice holes in your yard about the size of a quarter, it is probably a tarantula hole. Education | This item will be shipped through the Global Shipping Program and includes international tracking. It might have been a large example of Pepsis mexicana (photo below from http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/ ). Pepsis thisbe, the most common species of tarantula hawk in the Grand Canyon, can grow up to 2 inches (5mm) in length. The wasp will sting the spider to paralyze it. Contact: wryheat (at) cox.net Powered by Foundation, Sharpshooters could target Grand Canyon bison by 2021 under herd plan, Downtown Tucson Weekend Travel Restrictions for Tucson Meet Yourself & More, Demolition Begins On Former Downtown Performance Center/Mat Bevel Spaces, Pima County Recorder Candidate Takes a Salary from her Campaign Funds, Trump cites Arizona’s success fighting COVID-19, as cases resume rise, Now Playing: Solid 'On the Rocks' Screening at RoadHouse Cinemas and Streaming On Apple+, More COVID Cases in Amphi, Marana Schools, Suspicious Text Sent To Local Dem Voters Over Mail-In Ballots, McSally and Kelly Square Off in Debate Tonight, October Horror Show: Photos Show Border Wall Built Across San Pedro River, No ‘proud’ moment: Reaction to Trump gaffe goes from dismay to distress. The CLIMATE IN PERSPECTIVE page is a long essay debunking climate myths with observational science. This amount is subject to change until you make payment. 125, Tucson AZ 85741 | Once the egg hatches, the tiny grub, initially connected to the spider by the tip of its tail, bends over, attaches its head and begins to suck. Tarantulas may look scary, but they are very gentle creatures. Like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch rusty nail in your heel.) I have picked up many tarantulas and never have been bitten. The creature is neither a tarantula, or a hawk, instead it's an approximately two-inch wasp with a sting University of Arizona researcher Justin Schmidt called "traumatically painful."
After only a few minutes, however, the excruciating pain usually subsides, and the tiny sting resembles that of a fire ant. You pretty much have to purposely pick the wasp up in order to get stung, as they mostly ignore humans.
She claimed it was more than four inches long. Tarantulas are venomous like all spiders, but they are very docile and bite only under extreme provocation. The most common in Arizona is pepsis formosa wasp with the orange wings. It's that time of year again, when Tucsonans can see dozens of two-inched metallic midnight-blue or burnt-sienna creatures scampering under our mesquite trees in a methed-out manner, as if perpetually looking for an imaginary missing lighter. Hundreds of Tarantula Hawk Wasp species exist worldwide. Arts and Culture | Each species of this tribe is specialized in the hunt on different spider species. of 9, © 2020 For some reason she didn’t get a photo. Sometimes a silk cap on the burrow helps keep water out. The Pepsis wasp will approach a tarantula and cause the spider to rear its legs, thus exposing its abdomen.
As close as I wanted to get to this tarantula hawk cruising Downtown Tucson yesterday evening. | Now, during the monsoon, and into early fall is the time to see them. The adult Pepsis wasps feed on nectar and pollen.
These large wasps generally don’t bother humans. Identification. Comments should be civil and to the point; otherwise they may be deleted.