Desert Blond Tarantula Hawk vs Snail-killing Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Desert Blond Tarantula Hawk | Snail-killing Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pepsis thisbe | Tetanocera elata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Pompilidae | Sciomyzidae |
| Size | 25-45 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Wetlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe, North America |
| 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.
Snail-killing Fly
A wetland fly whose larvae are specialized predators or parasitoids of land snails. It has been investigated as a biocontrol agent for pest snails.
Did You Know?
Larvae enter the snail's shell and consume it alive over several days.