A tarantula hawk. 😱 I’ve only ever seen them fly by quickly. Check out that wicked stinger. Even in death, they can get you if you don’t watch where you step, it seems.
I found this gorgeous beast, dead in an empty pot. Not sure how it died or how long it was in the pot, but it’s in perfect condition. It’s one of the most beautiful bugs I’ve ever seen, prettier than some butterflies. When I looked up info on it, I’m really glad I didn’t encounter it when it was alive. (Update: it’s a “she.” 🙂 Apparently only females have stingers. And she was probably attracted to my garden because the rotting fruit I have for composting. They like that and nectar.)
Nightmare fuel: they’re one of the wasps that lays eggs in tarantulas so they eat it alive once they hatch. 😰
However, they very rarely sting humans, which is a relief. You have to really be invading their personal space, like trying to pick them up or accidentally stepping on them, to receive a sting.
In an interview with BBC, Dr. Justin Schmidt who created the Schmidt sting pain index said, “A sting feels like a lightning bolt struck the spot; the pain is beyond imagination. Fortunately, it lasts only about two to three minutes. It rates a four on the pain scale and is unsurpassed in intensity by any other stinging insect.” He says the pain is only beaten by that caused after a sting from a bullet ant, because that pain lasts between 12-24 hours.
@Colonelmustardseed 😆you should know me better too take me seriously though i can be on occasions i only ever joke on similar worlds and that precisely what it was lol
@DanielsASJ That’s nice of you to say. Most people don’t for insects. 😬 I hadn’t thought of it either as I disrespectfully gawked at her corpse and looked up facts on her species. 😅 Morbid.
