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Wasps of Zihuatanejo

ORDER HYMENOPTERA

Tarantula-hawk Wasps

Genus Pepsis

A tarantula hawk is a spider wasp (Pompilidae) that preys on tarantulas. The female wasp hunts tarantulas and can be seen moving along on ground hunting for tarantulas. When she finds a female tarantula in its burrow, she boldly enters, chases them into the open, and then attacks.

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