Large Square-headed Wasp vs Tarantula Hawk
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Square-headed Wasp | Tarantula Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ectemnius cephalotes | Pepsis grossa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 40-65 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Square-headed Wasp
A large solitary wasp that nests in dead wood and provisions its nest with captured flies. Has a distinctively large, square-shaped head. Common in gardens and woodland.
Did You Know?
Nests in old beetle holes in dead wood, stocking each cell with paralyzed flies for its developing larvae.
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.