Kevinkk is correct. In late summer and fall yellow jackets are ramping up the production of new queens that will disperse, mate with males, then find places to overwinter while the colony collapses and ceases.

The exception to this is in tropical areas where the typical temperate season of winter ...

58chevy wrote: Thu Sep 26, 2024 2:28 pm Here is a Pepsis collection I found on the web. Don't know whose it is.

That’s a really nice collection there. I hope to have something similar in due time.

Any pepsis wasp in the 100 mm range (or more) these days will cost you in excess of $100+ in any modern auction. I've seen them go as high as $150 US.

The really big ones are seldom offered and generally come from Brazil or French Guiana because they prey upon the largest of tarantula species ...

58chevy wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2024 12:20 am AggieEnto, I don't have extra Pepsis specimens at this time. Are you in college Station?

I used to be when I was getting my degree. I am in North Texas now

Have a look on Collector's Secret : https://www.collector-secret.com/insect/other-insects/tarantula-hawk-wasp

And I caught few of them in French Guiana, if you are interested.


I have a few saved searches that are similar to that. I am very much interested in really large or colorful Pepsis ...

AggieEnto, here are some pix of some big Pepsis species. Not much data, but impressive size.
Top to bottom:
P toppini - wingspan 108mm, body length 59mm - Peru
P toppini - approx same dimensions
P stauderingi - 100mm ws


Nice! Those are impressive. I am hoping someday to get something in the ...

wollastoni wrote: Tue May 16, 2023 9:34 am Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate !

An American friend sent me this picture which is pretty clear !
spreading-pepsis-wasp.jpg

It looks fun ... and not so easy to make things perfect ! I will do my best !

What is the wingspan on that beauty?

Howdy,

I am partial to South American Pepsis species, especially the giants. Does anyone here have any contacts or groups that would be great for acquiring these specimens?

Ideally folks local to where such specimens can be found?