I spotted this 6-legged dual winged insect in my Southern California backyard today. It is about 2-1/2" in length and has two brilliant orangeish-red wings. Today was a cool day about 65* overcast and I've never seen anything like it before! Once I got close enough to snap a couple of photos, it then flew off. What the heck did I observe today? Will I likely see any more?
Many thanks for your help.
This is a spider wasp (family Pompilidae) in the genus Pepsis. These are known as tarantula hawks - see http://www.desertusa.com/insects/tarantula-hawks.html
We have those around our property too... I posted pictures here and got loads of information from the awesome people here. I read that if they sting you, it is extremely painful. There was someone who created a pain schedule/level thing where he listed the most painful stings and this was number 2. I don't know what number 1 was but be very careful, don't get stung!!!
Wow, I'm glad I didn't get any closer!
I've been digging up my backyard, removing weeds preparing for raised beds, and I'm wondering if I've unearthed or have created an attraction to a new group of insects. I also have a new 2-year old garden in the front yard with plants full of nectar that attract hummingbirds. In any event it's been an interesting start to a 2015 Spring season.
Many thanks for identifying this bugger! 😃
Wow, I'm glad I didn't get any closer!
I've been digging up my backyard, removing weeds preparing for raised beds, and I'm wondering if I've unearthed or have created an attraction to a new group of insects. I also have a new 2-year old garden in the front yard with plants full of nectar that attract hummingbirds. In any event it's been an interesting start to a 2015 Spring season.
Many thanks for identifying this bugger! 😃
I live in San Diego, just got some milkweed to plant and spotted this insect. Looked it up and it said it eats the flowers of milkweed. As I have grandchildren the milkweed has to go!
I believe that you are overreacting, growingup5 - In the first place, these wasps feed on the nectar of several other plants, not just milkweed, and milkweed is utilized by many other insects, most notably Monarch butterflies. Then, the wasps themselves are not aggressive, stinging only when provoked, such as in attempting to pick one up. Solitary wasps (as opposed to social wasps such as yellow jackets and hornets) in general tend to be quite docile; I have never been stung by one in the course of 60+ years of collecting insects.
Thank you. The milkweed was planted for the Monarch Butterflies. Think I'll move the milkweed to another location as it's in a play area right now.
You sure you have the wasp and not a milkweed beetle?
I'm sure. I think it was attracted to the milkweed but I observed it skimming the ground like it was looking for something else. It never actually landed on the milkweed that I could see.
