About Pepsis thisbe Lucas, 1895
This species is scientifically named Pepsis thisbe Lucas, 1895. A key distinguishing feature between sexes is antenna shape: females have curly antennae, while males have straight antennae. Males of this species do not possess stingers, and female stingers measure approximately 7mm, or ¼ inch, long. Adult Pepsis thisbe are nectarivores, meaning they feed on flower material. Females hunt tarantulas to provide food for their larvae, which is the origin of the group’s common name tarantula hawk wasp. This species occurs across desert regions of the American Southwest.
