Hemipepsis heros

This genus is the largest spider wasp in the world. The body length of the male wasp is 4.5-5.5 cm, the wingspan is 7.5-9.5 cm. The body length of the female wasp is 6-7 cm, and the wingspan is 10-12.1 cm. Sting of female hemipepsis heros is up to 7 mm long, and their bites are considered by some as one of the most painful insect bites in the world. Hemipepsis heros is ranked second in insect sting pain index, just after bullet ants. Female Hemipepsis heros, also known as hemipepsis ustulata, can catch very large spiders to feed their larvae. They paralyze bird-eating spiders with sting, drag them back to their nests, lay eggs in their abdomen, and seal the hole with sand. The newly hatched larvae will bite a small hole in the spider's abdomen, drill into it and eat the internal organs. In order to make spiders live longer, larvae usually avoid eating important organs. Adult hemipepsis heros feed on nectar. Sometimes they get drunk after eating fermented fruit and have difficulties in flying. It is mainly found in Equatorial Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Senegal.