Genus Hemipepsis - Tarantula Hawks

Classification · Other Common Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Another Pepsis of some kind? - Hemipepsis ustulata

Pepsis ?? - Hemipepsis ustulata - female

Small Tarantula Hawk at seepage - Hemipepsis ustulata - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps)

Superfamily Vespoidea

Family Pompilidae (Spider Wasps)

Genus Hemipepsis (Tarantula Hawks)

Other Common Names

Tarantula Wasps

Numbers

Nearctica.com and Arnett (1) list four North American species in the genus.

Size

12-20 mm (usu. smaller than Pepsis?) (2)

Identification

Apparently virtually identical to Pepsis, and distinguishable only based on wing venation.

For wing venation read this comment by Nick Fensler.

Remarks

Both Hemipepsis and Pepsis are called "Tarantula Hawks." The genera are indistuinguishable in the field and have very similar life histories. See account for Pepsis.

Print References

Milne has photo of Hemipepsis sp.--#458, describes, p. 839. (2)

Internet References

Univ. Calif. Riverside Insect FAQ--describes biology of Pepsis and Hemipepsis as identical, says genera difficult to distinguish (based on wing venation).

Works Cited

1.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico By Ross H. Arnett

2.	National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders By Lorus and Margery Milne

Contributed by Cotinis on 25 May, 2004 - 1:41am
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 24 October, 2006 - 12:00pm

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