Tarantula Hawk Wasp

• Regions Found: India, Southeast Africa, Australia, North & South America
• Scientific Order: Hymenoptera

We should first mention that the Tarantula Hawk Wasp has one of the most painful stings on the planet. Justin O. Schmidt gave it a 4.0, his highest pain score. While this is pretty bad, that is not what makes them one of the creepiest insects on the planet. This wasp species preys on tarantula spiders. They are also a form of parasitic wasp too. The species will sting a tarantula between its legs, which will paralyze the creature.

It will then be dragged back to the wasp’s nest where it’ll feed on the spider but will leave vital organs intact. A female will lay one single egg inside of the tarantula. Once the egg hatches, this wasp larva will literally eat on the still living tarantula. Of course, the larva will finish it off by eating its vital organs from inside. Upon consuming the spider, the wasp when exits from the spider’s body.

Sources:

Centers For Disease Control (CDC)

University of Cambridge Museum of Zoology

University of Hawaii

Texas A&M University

University of Florida

Henderson State University

University of California, Riverside – Center For Invasive Species Research

University of Kentucky – College of Agriculture, Food, & Environment

Oregon Zoo

Australian Museum

National Geographic

Smithsonian

Scientific American

Science Magazine

Brave Wilderness

Animal Planet

Britannica

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