The spider wasps or tarantula hawks or pompilids (Pompilidae) are solitary wasps, well known for capturing and paralyzing spiders, often larger than themselves, as food for their larvae. The family contains six subfamilies and ca. 5,000 species. Body length in some species exceeds 60 mm, placing them among the largest of wasps. The sting of some pompilids is considered one of the most painful insect stings in the world.

		Blue-black Spider Wasp (Anoplius atrox)
		Giant Spider-hunting Wasp (Pepsis inclyta)

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