This little dear lives in some holes in the ground outside our house. It's about the size of the palm of your hand. It's called a Tarantula Hawk Wasp. That first part is because it actually hunts tarantulas. According to https://www.waspexpert.com/posts/tarantula-hawk-wasp-complete-guide-identification-behavior-sting
On Schmidt’s Sting Pain Index, tarantula hawk stings receive the maximum rating of 4.0, described as “blinding, fierce, shockingly electric.” The pain is often compared to being electrocuted or having a live wire pressed against the skin.
Sting Characteristics
- Duration: Intense pain typically lasts 3-5 minutes
- Immediate Effect: Victims often experience temporary paralysis or inability to do anything except scream
- Recovery: Pain subsides relatively quickly compared to other painful stings
- Systemic Effects: Generally minimal beyond the immediate pain response
The exterminator has been called.
