pepsis-pair-2048x2048

Pepsis formosa ORANGE + BLACK FORMS tarantula hawk wasp Arizona USA

$62.00

Ships Same Day or Next Business Day default

Order Value Discount
$100 - $149 Free shipping
$150 - $499 10% + Free shipping
$500 - $2499 20% + Free shipping
$2500+ 25% + Free shipping

*Special Deal items excluded from order value total

The specimen will come pinned in a box with styrofoam.
Approximate size of specimen: 2.5in wingspan
Interesting Facts about Tarantula Hawk Wasps:

The tarantula hawk wasp is found almost worldwide, ranging from Southeast Asia to Australia, Europe and the Americas. They are parasitoid wasps that hunt tarantulas and use their large stinger to paralyze them. Once immobile, the wasp will drag their pray back to the nest as a living food source for the one egg that is laid on each tarantula the mother is able to track down. Fertilized eggs will produce only female wasps while unfertilized eggs will produce only males.

Tarantula hawks are among the largest wasp species in the world and have one of the most painful stings of any insect. One species, Pepsis formosa, has been named the state insect of New Mexico.

Pepsis formosa BLACK FORM tarantula hawk wasp Arizona

Arizona Pepsis formosa tarantula hawk wasp orange red wings wet specimen

Where do you get them? 

They are raised in butterfly aviaries all over the world. To keep the operations running females are brought in from the wild to lay their eggs inside a large enclosed habitat. This way she and all of her babies are protected from disease, parasites, and predators. One female butterfly can lay thousands of eggs. In the wild only a handful will survive into adulthood because of all of these obstacles. In captivity virtually 100% will survive. Once the butterflies reach adulthood many are released back into the wild to help increase the indigenous populations. The rest are kept in the butterfly house for the rest of their lives, which is only a week or so in most cases, after they hatch from their chrysalis. Museums, universities, and businesses like ours will purchase the deceased specimens to preserve and keep in a collection for the public, to study things like DNA/evolution of a species/mutations/disease, or to make artwork. The money we supply to the butterfly houses helps keep their operation running, which in turn saves the native species of insects and plants from becoming endangered or extinct. This financial incentive motivates governments in third world countries to maintain their natural flora and fauna.

Shipping rates & policies

We ship anywhere within the United States. Once everything is added to your cart shipping will automatically be calculated based on the total weight of the package to your zip code. If your order totals over $100 you become eligible for free standard shipping.

We only ship within the United States and do not currently offer exports to any other country.

Specimen styles
  1. Unmounted butterfly/moth: specimen will come with the wings closed, packaged in a paper envelope, no frame.
  2. Mounted butterfly/moth: specimen will come with the wings spread, pinned in a box with styrofoam, no frame.
  3. Framed: specimen will come in a frame with a glass front and hanger for the back so it can be displayed on your wall.
  4. Pinned beetle/bug: specimen will come pinned into a box with styrofoam, no frame.
  5. Packaged beetle/bug: specimen will come packaged, unmounted with the wings closed and legs tucked under the body, no frame.