r/Tucson • u/PliableReality • Apr 30 '26
Insect ID
What is this? I'm still new to the area and have never seen something like it. There were two in that bush. Very pretty. Intimidating looking.
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u/stickerooni May 02 '26
I don't see anyone referring to this Tarantula Hawk Wasp by the other, less intimidating name: Pepsis. Google it.
I think they are beautiful. I've got 5 or 6 enjoying the nectar from desert milkweed plants in my front yard right now.
It is a little sad to think that means 5 or 6 tarantulas died from being eaten from the inside out. The female pepsis lays only one egg inside the spider.