Tarantula Wasp
Posted by Sean Ryan September 13, 2004

This 4 inch long wasp was a highlight on my trip. I'm interested in being an entomologist so to see this specimen was very nice. I followed it for quite some time trying to get a good photograph, without pissing it off. After returning to the eco lodge in San Luis I used one of the many reference books that they have to identify this insect. I found that it was a Tarantula wasp. I also found out interesting information about this wasp. It paralyzes a tarantula and brings it back to its home (a hole it has dug in the ground). It then lays it's eggs on the tarantula. Later, the eggs hatch and eat the tarantula...alive! Now thats pretty savage. It's a good thing humans aren't on their menu.