Tarantula hawks, belonging to the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis, are striking insects known for their large size and vibrant coloration. These wasps, recognized by their iridescent blue-black bodies and bright orange or rust-colored wings, are found across various continents, excluding Europe and Antarctica. Their unique life cycle, particularly their dietary habits, is a notable aspect of their biology. This article explores the distinct feeding behaviors of adult and larval tarantula hawks.
What Adult Tarantula Hawks Eat
Adult tarantula hawks primarily sustain themselves on nectar, classifying them as nectarivores. They frequent a variety of flowering plants, including milkweed, mesquite, and western soapweed. Nectar provides the energy for their flight, daily activities, and reproduction.
Adult tarantula hawks also consume pollen, which offers nutritional benefits. These wasps contribute to the pollination of the plants they visit. Occasionally, they may also ingest fermented fruit.
What Larval Tarantula Hawks Eat
The diet of larval tarantula hawks is notably different from that of the adults. Larvae feed exclusively on tarantulas, which serve as their living food source. This specialized feeding strategy begins with the female tarantula hawk hunting for a suitable tarantula.
Upon locating a tarantula, often by detecting its burrow, the female wasp initiates an attack. She delivers a sting, typically targeting the soft underside of the spider’s thorax, which paralyzes the tarantula without killing it. This paralysis keeps the tarantula fresh and viable for the developing larva.
The female tarantula hawk then drags the immobilized tarantula to a pre-dug burrow or, sometimes, the tarantula’s own burrow. Despite the spider often being many times her size, the wasp is strong and capable of moving her prey over considerable distances. Once the tarantula is secured within the burrow, the female lays a single egg on the spider’s abdomen. She then seals the burrow entrance with debris, leaving the tarantula and egg protected.
After three to four days, the egg hatches into a small larva. The larva immediately begins to feed on the still-living tarantula, initially consuming its hemolymph, the invertebrate equivalent of blood and lymph. The larva carefully avoids the tarantula’s vital organs, ensuring the host remains alive for as long as possible. This consumption, which can take several weeks, ensures a continuous supply of fresh nutrients for the larva’s development. After consuming the tarantula, the larva pupates, eventually emerging as an adult wasp to continue its life cycle.