This year’s theme at the Arizona Insect Festival is the big and bold tarantula hawk, Pepsis formosa. Known for its sting, it paralyzes and lays its eggs on tarantulas, providing a large meal for its developing offspring.
It’s easily recognized by its jet black body, bright orange wings, and often curled antennae. They can be surprisingly large and are often seen sipping nectar from flowers all over Tucson.
