Arizona's WildLife
"Where the Wild Things Roam"
Tarantula Hawk Wasp
Pepsis grossa
Best seen on blooming plants during summer
The tarantula hawk wasp (Pepsis grossa and related species) is a large, striking wasp found in Arizona, easily recognized by its metallic black body and bright orange wings. Renowned for delivering one of the most painful stings in the insect world, tarantula hawks are generally non-aggressive and sting only when provoked. This wasp is a solitary predator and parasitoid, hunting tarantulas to serve as living hosts for its larvae, which feed on the immobilized spider. Adults feed primarily on nectar from flowers, playing a role in pollination, while their dramatic hunting behavior highlights the complex and fascinating predator-prey interactions in Arizona’s desert and scrub ecosystems.
Insect
Identification & Behavior
Key Features: Black body with metallic blue sheen and bright orange wings
Size: Up to 2 inches long
Behavior: Females paralyze tarantulas and lay eggs on them; adults feed on nectar
Diet: Feeds on nectar; females hunt tarantulas to provision larvae
Activity Pattern: Diurnal
Habitat & Distribution
Found in southern Arizona deserts, including the Sonoran Desert, Superstition, and Santa Catalina Mountains. Present in Coronado and Tonto National Forests.
Elevation Range: 3,000–8,000 ft
Seasonal Presence: Summer (most active)
Risks & Management
Avoid handling; sting is extremely painful but not lethal
Designated the state insect of New Mexico; admired for its power and beauty
Arizona Sister Butterfly
Two-striped Grasshopper
Green Darner Dragonfly
Velvet Ant (Cow Killer)
Monarch Butterfly
Western Honey Bee
Mountain Pine Beetle
Western Tent Caterpillar
Tarantula Hawk Wasp