Tarantula hawks are the large blue-black wasps with orange wings often seen flying rapidly over the vegetation or exploring crevices and other holes on the ground. Female wasps are on the lookout for large spiders, especially tarantulas. When a suitable spider is found, the female wasp will attempt to sting it. If successful, the spider becomes paralyzed. The female deposits an egg on the spider. The juvenile wasp which hatches feeds on the paralyzed spider, eventually killing it.
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