Thread-legged Bug vs Tarantula Hawk
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thread-legged Bug | Tarantula Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Emesaya brevipennis | Pepsis grossa |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 30-37 mm | 40-65 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thread-legged Bug
An extremely slender assassin bug with stick-like legs that hunts in spider webs. It plucks web strands to lure spiders close enough to seize and consume them.
Did You Know?
It invades spider webs and mimics trapped prey vibrations to lure the resident spider within striking distance.
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.