Tarantula Hawk vs Mediterranean Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tarantula Hawk | Mediterranean Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pepsis grossa | Iris oratoria |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Pompilidae | Mantidae |
| Size | 40-65 mm | 40-60 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America, South America | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Mediterranean Mantis
A medium-sized mantis with striking eyespots on its hindwings used to startle predators. It is native to the Mediterranean but established in the western United States.
Did You Know?
When threatened, it flashes vivid purple and black eyespots on its hindwings to scare predators.