I’m putting on a new hat today. This is my Nature Dog Hat so I can tell you about nature on my trails. But this post comes with a warning.
Warning: This post is about spiders and insects. If you’re squeamish (what’s that word?) don’t scroll down to the picture at the end.
.
.
.
.
.
It’s really hard to get a picture of these bugs, but we found one walking along on the ground – right in my yard.
Normally they buzz right by us. Buzzing is right. They make a loud buzz when they fly by, and you get a glimpse of black and orange. Maybe they should be called Halloween bugs. Those are the official Halloween colors, aren’t they?
Once you hear what these bugs do, you’ll realize they fit right into that holiday. These bugs are mean.
They’re called tarantula hawks. They like tarantulas, but the feeling isn’t mutual.
You see, these hawk things – which are really wasps, look for tarantulas and when they find one they poke it with their stinger.
That tarantula plops over as if it’s dead, but it’s really only paralyzed.
Then that nasty tarantula hawk lays one single egg on the tarantula and buries the tarantula. When the egg hatches that nasty baby eats the tarantula, while keeping it alive as long as possible by saving the vital organs for dessert.
Then it flies away to do the same thing all over again with another poor, unsuspecting tarantula.
The tarantulas are starting to come out now. My person just saw the first one of the season.
Watch out, tarantula! Those tarantula hawks are looking for you.
Person, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
bongodogblog 