Sophia Torres &
Sage Vogel |
Mountain View &
Dixon Elementary |
| 6th & 5th Grade |
Dixon & Cordova, NM |
| Physical Description: |
1-2 inches. Wings reddish orange. Short
waist. Body is black. Chewing parts. Tongue like mouth
for drinking.
Metallic blue body and red wings. Its length is 12-20mm.
|
| Range: |
California to New Mexico |
| Habitat: |
Dry hillsides and rolling arid plains |
| Food: |
Adults drink fermenting fruit and nectar.
Larva eat paralyzed tarantula. |
| Lifecycle: |
Complete metamorphosis-4 stages |
| Winter Survival: |
Hibernation |
| Lifespan: |
1 year |
| Adaptations: |
Larvae use a paralyzing sting on tarantulas. |
| Sleep Cycle: |
Diurnal |
| Niche: |
Predator & Prey |
| Role to Humans: |
Beneficial |
| Population: |
Common |
| Interesting Facts: |
Adult paralyzes a tarantula or a trapdoor
spider and drags it into a den. Then lays an egg on it.
When the larva hatches, it devours the spider. It is the
state insect of New Mexico. |
| Sources: |
Golden Guide to Insects, The Audubon Society
Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders, and
the Internet |
