tarantula hawk
Giant spider wasp
A tarantula hawk is a large wasp that hunts tarantulas, paralyzing them with a sting and laying eggs on the immobilized spider so larvae can feed on it alive.
Found in desert regions of the Americas, these wasps deliver one of the most painful insect stings known, though the pain is brief.
We spotted a tarantula hawk dragging its prey across the trail.
Causing extreme suffering
- venomInjected animal poison
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- envenomationInjection of animal poison
pain scale · puncture · burning · piercing · intense · momentary · defensive · inject
Insect order with membrane wings
- parasitoidHost-dependent killer organism
- stingerVenom-injecting body part
- ovipositorInsect egg-laying appendage
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
mandibles · pollinator · nectar · diurnal · iridescent · blue-black · solitary · burrow
excruciating
Causing extreme suffering
- venomInjected animal poison
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
envenomation · pain scale · puncture · burning · piercing · intense · momentary · defensive · inject · swelling
Hymenoptera
Insect order with membrane wings
- parasitoidHost-dependent killer organism
- stingerVenom-injecting body part
- ovipositorInsect egg-laying appendage
antennae · mandibles · pollinator · nectar · diurnal · iridescent · blue-black · solitary · burrow · nesting
hunter
Pursuer of prey
capture · burrow · larva · host · drag · overpower · incapacitate · provision · stealth · pursuit
Sonoran
Of a specific southwestern desert
mesa · saguaro · scrubland · xerophyte · New Mexico · Arizona · Texas · Southwest · dry · sunbaked