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Description
Common Name: Bomber Wasp

Scientific Name: Vomvapepsis spp.

Length: 3 to 4 centimeters

Weight: 0.5 to 0.7 grams

Diet: Grubs, small insects, tarantulas, and other small invertebrates

Distribution: The Southern cactus forests and the Southern shrubland of the Midwestern American Desert in North America

Lifespan: 4 to 6 months

Description: The bomber wasps are a group of spider wasps descended from a species of tarantula hawk wasp. Although not physically different from their ancestor, they have changed in their behavior, venom, and the amount of color morphs there are. These wasps are one of the more common insects in the desert, often being found in bushes and other foliage.
Bomber wasps come in all sorts of colors, each one determining a species. They can come in dark-green, black, dark red, brown, brownish-red, or yellowish-brown. The jaws of these wasps are used to cut into carrion, chew up prey, and hold onto things. These wasps’ wings allow them to make quick maneuvers through the air and catch insects. Their sting is extremely painful and venomous, which helps them paralyze prey and defend against predators. This venom, although not fatal in humans, causes swelling near the sting, an aching pain that can last for over a week, intense sweating, and other effects.
One behavior that is unique to the bomber wasps is that they’re extremely aggressive to prey, predators, and even random creatures that step near their burrow. If a small animal steps near its burrow, it will sting the animal, kill it, and drag it into its nest. The wasp eats this animal and if it has young, it will feed the meat to them. However, bigger animals will be attacked and stung over and over again. This behavior is where it gets its name from because the wasps will swoop down and sting their victim. The wasp will continue this until the victim has fled the area or is no longer a threat.

Description
Common Name: Bomber Wasp

Scientific Name: Vomvapepsis spp.

Length: 3 to 4 centimeters

Weight: 0.5 to 0.7 grams

Diet: Grubs, small insects, tarantulas, and other small invertebrates

Distribution: The Southern cactus forests and the Southern shrubland of the Midwestern American Desert in North America

Lifespan: 4 to 6 months

Description: The bomber wasps are a group of spider wasps descended from a species of tarantula hawk wasp. Although not physically different from their ancestor, they have changed in their behavior, venom, and the amount of color morphs there are. These wasps are one of the more common insects in the desert, often being found in bushes and other foliage.
Bomber wasps come in all sorts of colors, each one determining a species. They can come in dark-green, black, dark red, brown, brownish-red, or yellowish-brown. The jaws of these wasps are used to cut into carrion, chew up prey, and hold onto things. These wasps’ wings allow them to make quick maneuvers through the air and catch insects. Their sting is extremely painful and venomous, which helps them paralyze prey and defend against predators. This venom, although not fatal in humans, causes swelling near the sting, an aching pain that can last for over a week, intense sweating, and other effects.
One behavior that is unique to the bomber wasps is that they’re extremely aggressive to prey, predators, and even random creatures that step near their burrow. If a small animal steps near its burrow, it will sting the animal, kill it, and drag it into its nest. The wasp eats this animal and if it has young, it will feed the meat to them. However, bigger animals will be attacked and stung over and over again. This behavior is where it gets its name from because the wasps will swoop down and sting their victim. The wasp will continue this until the victim has fled the area or is no longer a threat.