Broad Scarlet vs Tarantula Hawk
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Broad Scarlet | Tarantula Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Crocothemis servilia | Pepsis grossa |
| Order | Odonata | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 38-45mm | 40-65 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Asia, Oceania | North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Broad Scarlet
A robust dragonfly where males are brilliant scarlet-red with a broad flattened abdomen. Females are olive-brown. It is one of the most common dragonflies across tropical Asia.
Did You Know?
It is one of the first dragonflies to colonize new water bodies, sometimes arriving within days of a pond being dug.
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.