Desert Blond Tarantula Hawk vs Western Bumble Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Desert Blond Tarantula Hawk | Western Bumble Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pepsis thisbe | Bombus occidentalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pompilidae | Apidae |
| Size | 25-45 mm | 10-22 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Mountains |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
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.
Western Bumble Bee
A once-common bumble bee of western North America that has experienced dramatic population declines since the late 1990s. They nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows.
Did You Know?
Their catastrophic decline is linked to a pathogen accidentally spread through commercial bumble bee rearing facilities.