Kim_Johnson
I came across something that caught my eye today while out walking the dogs. A 2″ or 5 cm black wasp with bright orange/red wings. I got three pictures of it before it flew away. I came home to look up what it was and that’s when I found out it is a Pepsis Wasp also referred to as the Tarantula Hawk Wasp. It was gorgeous.
Have you heard of the Schmidt Sting Pain index?
Justin Schmidt is an entomologist, and decided to make a pain index rating 1-4. Here is the chart.
<a href="http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/08/28/insectvenoms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
This wasp rates number 4 along with the Bullet Ant. The sting only lasts 3 minutes, but it’s so electric that it could only be described as totally unacceptable. There are accounts of people being stung and they recommend to just lie down and start screaming, because few if any people could maintain verbal and physical coordination after being stung.
I am so glad he wasn’t in an aggressive mood..
He sure is pretty, I had to get closer.
They only eat nectar. They are named Tarantula Hawk because they paralyze the spider and drag them into the den. Here the wasp lays the egg that hatches into larva and feeds of the spider while it is still alive for several weeks. Spooky huh?
Those are awesome shots, your braver than I would be lol!
I got stung by a harvester ant one time, and that is at 3 on the scale. I really wanted to go to the hospital. Worse sting I have ever felt. I limped for 5 days. I got stung on my foot. I couldnt image this sting.
Awesome photos!
Thanks Ellie. Although far away..lol
So ugly!
Mean sting for sure.
Yikes keep your distance!
I did, good thing huh.
So nice photos
Thank you Olga, I didn’t want to get too close!
That’s cool dear
I was surprised when I looked it up!
very interesting post . shared
Thank you!!