The tarantula hawk is acutally a spider wasp which preys on spiders and tarantulas.   It has long hooked legs with powerful claws which it uses to hold its prey, then it stings it and pulls its prey back into its lair.   It then creates a hole in the tarantula's abdomen and lays an egg there.   It feeds on the tarantula, but keeps it alive as long as possible.   The egg hatches from inside the tarantula’s body to continue its life cycle.  

We have spotted the tarantula hawk in Zion in Utah and the Fiery Furnace in Nevada, but they are also found throughout the southwest desert hills.