About Tarantula Hawks
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Tarantula Hawks, One of the Largest Wasps
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Tarantula Hawk on Rabbitbrush
We have them during the summers in our backyard and they are not aggressive toward humans, unless of course you try to pick them up or accidentally press against one. I took a couple of photos of a very large one on rabbitbrush. They are really interesting to look at.
Hooked Claws
The females hunt for wandering tarantulas to sting and paralyze. Once captured, the tarantula is dragged into the female's burrow or a specially prepared nest where she lays a single egg on the still living tarantula. When the larva hatches, it sucks the fluids from the tarantula and as the larva grows, the tarantula will die and the larva will consume the entire body, leaving the vital organs intact until last, so they wil stay fresh.
Interestingly, because Tarantula Hawks have such large stingers, they have very few enemies. The only animal that is able to eat them is the Roadrunner (BeeBeep!)

Tarantula Hawk after a Summer storm

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Do You Love or Hate Insects?
Either way, they are interesting creatures.
Share your insect stories and comments.
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ElizabethJeanAllen
May 24, 2009 @ 8:14 am | delete
- Hi,
My name is Elizabeth Jean Allen and I am the new group leader for the Nature and the Outdoors Group.
Welcome.
Lizzy
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naturegirl7
Feb 24, 2009 @ 9:15 pm | delete
- Love insects. Without insects, our world would be in chaos. Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
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RinchenChodron
Jan 18, 2009 @ 6:38 pm | delete
- We need insects and should honor all sentient beings! Thanks for another beautiful lens - you are a talented photographer!
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Ramkitten
Jan 12, 2009 @ 11:48 am | delete
- Eeeew, these "birds" give me the heebie-geebies. But, still, I included them as one of my "favorite" critters of the Coconino National Forest, partly because they do give me a good adreneline jolt whenever they fly by. Lensrolling this to http://www.squidoo.com/coconinonationalforest and five stars, too.
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enslavedbyfaeries
Aug 14, 2008 @ 6:47 pm | delete
- What a truly amazing bug! Welcome to the Going Buggy Group! You are being featured, but ironically the group seems to have a bug and I can't move the modules without being logged out. I promise to move you to a better spot as soon as I can. :)
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by Stinky
I'm Theresa Rose, a graphic designer and photographer in the northern Nevada area. I love to get outside and take photos of wildlife and nature. North... more »
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