Pepsis grossa

Pepsis grossa is a species of very large pepsine spider wasp from the southern part of North America, south to northern South America. They prey on tarantula spiders, giving rise to the name tarantula hawk for the wasps in the genus Pepsis and the related Hemipepsis. Only the females hunt, so only they are capable of delivering a sting, which is considered the second most painful of any insect sting, scoring 4.0 on the Schmidt sting pain index compared to the bullet ant's 4.0+. It is the state insect of New Mexico. The colour morphs are the xanthic orange-winged form and the melanic black winged form.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Pepsis grossa being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Pepsis thisbe
• Pepsis chrysothemis
• Hemipepsis ustulata
• Pepsis pallidolimbata
• Calopompilus pyrrhomelas
• Pepsis mildei

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Pompilidae

Genus

Pepsis

Species

Pepsis grossa

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