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Pepsis sp. Tarantula hawk
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Pepsis sp. Tarantula hawk
Watercolour and ink from Drawings of Mandibulata Insects of India, Thomas Hardwicke Collection; 1821 Date: 1821
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Media ID 14238354
© Mary Evans / Natural History Museum
Arthropod Arthropoda Hardwicke Hexapod Hexapoda Hymenoptera Insecta Thomas Hardwicke Collection Wasp Watercolor Apoidea Invertebrata Pompilidae Spider Wasp
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite watercolor and ink illustration showcases the striking features of a Tarantula Hawk Wasp, Pepsis sp., a remarkable insect belonging to the family Pepsidae within the order Hymenoptera. The Tarantula Hawk Wasp is native to India and is renowned for its unique hunting behavior. This wasp is a spider hunting wasp, and its name derives from the fact that it preys upon tarantulas and other large spiders. The illustration, taken from the Drawings of Mandibulata Insects of India, Thomas Hardwicke Collection, was produced in 1821. The Thomas Hardwicke Collection is a significant historical archive of natural history illustrations, featuring a diverse range of insects, arthropods, and other invertebrates from India. The Tarantula Hawk Wasp is depicted in intricate detail, with its long, slender body, distinctive wings, and prominent stinger. The wasp's vibrant colors, including its bold yellow and black markings, are beautifully rendered in the illustration. The artist has also captured the wasp's intense focus and alert posture, reflecting its predatory nature. The Tarantula Hawk Wasp is an essential component of its ecosystem, playing a crucial role in controlling spider populations. The wasp lays its eggs inside the body of a tarantula or other large spider, and the emerging larvae feed on the spider's living tissue. This unusual reproductive strategy ensures that the Tarantula Hawk Wasp's offspring have a plentiful food supply and a head start in life. This historical illustration not only showcases the natural beauty of the Tarantula Hawk Wasp but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the natural history of India during the early 19th century. The intricate details and vivid colors of the illustration continue to captivate viewers and remind us of the rich biodiversity of our planet.
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