Autumn Horse Fly vs Tarantula Hawk
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Autumn Horse Fly | Tarantula Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus autumnalis | Pepsis grossa |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 16-22 mm | 40-65 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Autumn Horse Fly
A large greyish horse fly active in late summer and autumn. It has striking green-banded eyes and a persistent biting habit.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few horse fly species that remains active well into October.
Tarantula Hawk
A giant wasp that hunts tarantulas. The female paralyzes a tarantula with her sting, drags it to a burrow, and lays an egg on it — the larva eats the spider alive.
Did You Know?
The tarantula hawk has the second most painful sting of any insect — but the pain lasts only about 5 minutes. Scientists recommend just lying down and screaming.