Wildlife_Biologist
Tarantula Hawk Drinking
Tarantula Hawks (Pepsis thisbe). Tarantula hawks are spider wasps and their sting is reportedly the second most painful sting known to man (first is the bullet ant).
Tarantula hawks primarily feed on nectar. However, their name reflects that these wasps actively hunt tarantulas. Tarantula hawks are fearless and tenacious. They never give up searching. The barbs on its legs aid in grasping. Once a tarantula is found, the wasp will often wrestle with the tarantula until it can sting it. The venom serves to paralyze but not kill the tarantula. The tarantula will then be dragged to a burrow where the female will lay a single egg on the abdomen. Once the egg is laid, the female leaves and plugs up the burrow.
Once the egg hatches the larvae will make a hole in the abdomen of the tarantula and immediately begin feeding inside of it while avoiding the vital organs for as long as possible, thereby extending the spider's life. After several weeks, the larvae will pupate and exit the abdomen (specific information from Wikipedia).
I have observed a battle only one time and watched the tarantula hawk drag the tarantula which looked many times its size across the road and stuff it in a burrow. I have never observed one drinking before. This particular individual is a male (I believe based on his straight antenna).
Tarantula Hawk Drinking
Tarantula Hawks (Pepsis thisbe). Tarantula hawks are spider wasps and their sting is reportedly the second most painful sting known to man (first is the bullet ant).
Tarantula hawks primarily feed on nectar. However, their name reflects that these wasps actively hunt tarantulas. Tarantula hawks are fearless and tenacious. They never give up searching. The barbs on its legs aid in grasping. Once a tarantula is found, the wasp will often wrestle with the tarantula until it can sting it. The venom serves to paralyze but not kill the tarantula. The tarantula will then be dragged to a burrow where the female will lay a single egg on the abdomen. Once the egg is laid, the female leaves and plugs up the burrow.
Once the egg hatches the larvae will make a hole in the abdomen of the tarantula and immediately begin feeding inside of it while avoiding the vital organs for as long as possible, thereby extending the spider's life. After several weeks, the larvae will pupate and exit the abdomen (specific information from Wikipedia).
I have observed a battle only one time and watched the tarantula hawk drag the tarantula which looked many times its size across the road and stuff it in a burrow. I have never observed one drinking before. This particular individual is a male (I believe based on his straight antenna).