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Tarantula Hawk Wasp? Tribe: Pepsini Found dead in the yard with most of the abdomen missing. Bright blue color, could not exactly capture it with the camera. Geotagged,Hemipepsis ustulata,Pepsis grossa,Pepsis thisbe,Summer,United States,pepsis grossa Click/tap to enlarge

Tarantula Hawk Wasp? Tribe: Pepsini

Found dead in the yard with most of the abdomen missing. Bright blue color, could not exactly capture it with the camera.

    comments (5)

  1. View DebRich's profile
    DebRich
    Lion
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    I had not know these existed, especially in my backyard in the city. I am not that far from a wild wooded area, so possibly that's why. Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
  2. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
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    Impressive predator, makes you wonder how it came to its end. Second most painful sting in the insect world! Posted 5 years ago
    1. View DebRich's profile
      DebRich
      Lion
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      Yes did wonder what killed it. Will be cautiously looking out for them, where there’s one there may be others. What is the first worst stinger? Posted 5 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
        Lion
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        I believe it's this one:

        Bullet ant posing - head, La Isla Escondida, Colombia Disclaimer: this bullet ant was found by our guide in the forest of La Isla Escondida. Next it was fridged for 20 minutes to calm it down, photographed for 5 mins on a table, and then released, alive and seemingly unharmed. I'm not a big fan of the practice of fridging. I don't judge others doing it, I just try to be as least invasive as possible when photographing subjects, as I do not think my wish for a photo outweighs the well-being of the subject. I did not fridge this one, but I did not stop it either.<br /> <br /> On the upside, it seemed fine and it's not every day that you can take macro shots of a bullet ant inches away from your head and it being relatively calm. Which didn't last long. It was rubbing and cleaning itself to warm up, making a pretty angry impression, and rightfully so. It became more active with every passing second, so I hope you enjoy the few quick shots I could get of this ticking time bomb.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/73469/bullet_ant_posing_la_isla_escondida_colombia.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/73471/bullet_ant_posing_-_side_view_la_isla_escondida_colombia.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/73472/bullet_ant_posing_-_frontal_la_isla_escondida_colombia.html Bullet Ant,Colombia,Colombia 2018,Colombia South,La Isla Escondida,Paraponera clavata,Putumayo,South America,World
         Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
        1. View DebRich's profile
          DebRich
          Lion
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          Ouch! I'm virtually hurting. Posted 5 years ago

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The Flamed Tarantula-hawk Wasp

''Hemipepsis ustulata'' is a species of tarantula hawk native to the Southwestern United States. Tarantula hawks are a large, conspicuous family of long legged wasps which prey on tarantulas. They use their long legs to grapple with their tarantula prey before paralyzing them with a powerful sting. Their stings are ranked second most painful in the insect world.

Info 3 0
Similar species: Wasps, Bees, Sawflies And Ants
Species identified by DebRich
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By DebRich

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jul 11, 2020. Captured Aug 29, 2011 23:14 in 216 W Magnolia Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 40,038 9,661 8
  • Canon PowerShot G11
  • f/4.0
  • 1/1002s
  • ISO80
  • 9.784mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.