Desert Blond Tarantula Hawk vs Blunthorn Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Desert Blond Tarantula Hawk | Blunthorn Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pepsis thisbe | Melitta haemorrhoidalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pompilidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 25-45 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Desert Blond Tarantula Hawk
A large metallic blue-black spider wasp with vibrant orange wings found in the Sonoran Desert. Females hunt blonde tarantulas as food for their larvae.
Did You Know?
It is the official state insect of New Mexico despite having one of the most painful stings of any insect.
Blunthorn Bee
A late-summer specialist bee that collects pollen almost exclusively from bellflowers. It has a distinctively short tongue for a melittid bee.
Did You Know?
Females often become completely dusted in blue bellflower pollen, giving them a striking violet-tinged appearance.