pompilids

Pompilids, commonly known as spider wasps, are a large family of solitary wasps belonging to the order Hymenoptera. This family, Pompilidae, is distributed worldwide and encompasses over 5,000 species. Spider wasps are characterized by their relatively long legs, often with stout spines, and a prominent keel on the clypeus, a part of the face. Their coloration can vary widely, but many species exhibit metallic blue, black, or red hues.

The defining behavior of pompilds is their specialized predation on spiders. Female spider wasps hunt spiders, paralyze them with their venom, and then drag them to a prepared nest. The nest is typically a burrow dug in the ground, but some species utilize existing cavities, hollow stems, or even construct mud cells. A single paralyzed spider is then provisioned in the nest, and an egg is laid on it. The larva consumes the spider after hatching, developing into a new adult wasp.

The venom of spider wasps, while potent enough to subdue spiders, is also known to cause excruciating pain to humans if stung, leading to the common name "tarantula hawk" for some larger species. Despite their formidable sting, pompilds are generally not aggressive towards humans unless provoked or handled. They play an important ecological role in regulating spider populations. Their life cycle is entirely solitary, with each female responsible for nesting and provisioning her own offspring.