How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Discussion on bees, wasps and ants
User avatar
wollastoni
Site Admin
Site Admin
Reactions:
Posts: 531
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:51 am
Location: France
France

How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by wollastoni »

Hello

I have caught several impressive Pepsis wasps in French Guiana ! They are a thrill to see flying and to catch ! Putting them in the cyanide jar is also "sport", as you don't want to get stung by these impressive wasps.

Any idea on how to spread them and get this perfect results for wings and legs ?
Image

I mean : if I use a spreading board for the wings, the legs won't be well placed.
And if I don't use any board to be able to correctly place the legs, the wings won't be well spread.

If anyone has succesful experience in spreading these tarantula hawk wasps, I would be happy to get their insights before trying to spread them myself.

Thank you
Olivier
User avatar
chulrich
Junior Member
Junior Member
Reactions:
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 6:40 pm
Germany

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by chulrich »

How about spreading them upside down? Of course this would not work so well with a traditional spreading board, but you could construct something easily with styrofoam and spread the wings first with the pepsis lying on its back. After that putting the legs into position.... Just an idea. Good luck, Christof
User avatar
Paul K
Meek
Meek
Reactions:
Posts: 209
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 6:44 pm
Canada

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Paul K »

I did not spread too many wasp only few as i don't collect them, but what I did was using the sheet of styrofoam and i pinned small rectangle shaped two pieces right under where the wings should be. Then you can spread legs as you would for the beetles on the main sheet and wings after all on the side attached small pieces of styrofoam as for lepidoptera. Im not sure if this is the right technic but it works for me.
User avatar
58chevy
Meek
Meek
Reactions:
Posts: 459
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 5:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX USA
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by 58chevy »

Somebody posted a successful method of doing this in the old forum. I don't remember who it was.
User avatar
Panacanthus
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 127
Joined: Tue May 31, 2022 7:51 pm
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Panacanthus »

Paul K wrote: Mon May 15, 2023 2:55 pm I did not spread too many wasp only few as i don't collect them, but what I did was using the sheet of styrofoam and i pinned small rectangle shaped two pieces right under where the wings should be. Then you can spread legs as you would for the beetles on the main sheet and wings after all on the side attached small pieces of styrofoam as for lepidoptera. Im not sure if this is the right technic but it works for me.
This is exactly how I prepare almost any specimen which has legs and wings which both need to be spread nicely. Beetles with their wings open, Orthoptera, Phasmids, etc. It can produce exceptional results. You just need the right thickness of styrofoam for under the wings, and to cut it into the ideal shape to fit between the legs but still support the wings.
“Seems to me the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.” -David Attenborough
User avatar
wollastoni
Site Admin
Site Admin
Reactions:
Posts: 531
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:51 am
Location: France
France

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by wollastoni »

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate !

An American friend sent me this picture which is pretty clear !
spreading-pepsis-wasp.jpg
spreading-pepsis-wasp.jpg (193.28 KiB) Viewed 15250 times
It looks fun ... and not so easy to make things perfect ! I will do my best !
User avatar
Paul K
Meek
Meek
Reactions:
Posts: 209
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 6:44 pm
Canada

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Paul K »

is that hand of toddler? or this wasp is huge !!!!
I was in many places in the tropics but i have never encounter one like this.

BTW, yes that's the way I spread those.
User avatar
boghaunter1
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 287
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 7:16 pm
Canada

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by boghaunter1 »

Posted previously in an older insectnet forum... same mounting method as others have described. A large Pepsis (105mm wingspan) personally collected in Feb.,1990 in Costa Rica:

IMG_4323 (Custom).JPG
IMG_4323 (Custom).JPG (111.94 KiB) Viewed 15229 times

John K.
User avatar
boghaunter1
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 287
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 7:16 pm
Canada

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by boghaunter1 »

Two additional specimens from different orders spread with foam under wings. A Giant Water Bug (Lethocerus - purchased) from French Guiana - 120mm & 200mm+ wingspan:

2014 Phone Photos 009 (Medium).jpg
2014 Phone Photos 009 (Medium).jpg (112.14 KiB) Viewed 15226 times

A Megasoma acteon (purchased) with spread wings:


2014 Phone Photos 056 (Medium).jpg
2014 Phone Photos 056 (Medium).jpg (106.52 KiB) Viewed 15226 times

John K.
User avatar
Trehopr1
Global Moderators
Global Moderators
Reactions:
Posts: 1088
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2022 1:48 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Trehopr1 »

Here is a photograph of my spin on this topic.
I utilize a series of several "stacked" / neatly-cut 2x2
glass strips. In this situation, this large robber fly
required 4 stacked pieces under each wing with
another laid (on top) for weight.

I brace pin all those beneath the wings and allow
space for the the top one to rest. I use a fine #1
pin-head to glide the wings ACROSS the glass and into
place.

Depending on the specimen I occasionally place my glass
stacks at angles (much as the styrofoam) is placed. It all
depends on how or where I want the legs to fall in position.

Image

Once your specimen is set (as such) it needs to be left a
good 4 weeks (minimum) or up to 6 for the wings to lay
flat nicely. Taken off too soon will result in "droopy-wings".
User avatar
Trehopr1
Global Moderators
Global Moderators
Reactions:
Posts: 1088
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2022 1:48 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Trehopr1 »

Well done indeed John !
User avatar
Trehopr1
Global Moderators
Global Moderators
Reactions:
Posts: 1088
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2022 1:48 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Trehopr1 »

It has been awile since this topic was first addressed.
While I don't dabble much with the order Hymenoptera
I still have to relate a certain fondness in the challenge
of properly preparing them aethetically (life-like).

Hymenoptera are greatly unappreciated as beautiful
"in their own right" by the few who generally collect
some measure of them. Usually, a pin is thrust thru them
and the legs and wings are tucked-in to save space and
for more research oriented appearance. Only here and
there will you encounter a specimen that someone took
some time with.

Recently, I prepared up this large metallic-winged species.
In this case I was able to spread it much like a butterfly
(using a standard size spreading board). The specimen was
able to comfortably fit (within) the groove of the board
and yet, the depth of its thorax was not as excessive as
in other species where little foam triangles might be needed
to prop-up the wings for the spreading of legs.

Image

I was able to nicely tease out the legs symmetrically
and in a pleasing manner as if in flight.

This is just another option available to those who wouldn't
mind getting a little fancy with some of their Hymenoptera
captures. However, this will not always apply to everything.

A couple of my other Hymenopteran examples which are
self-collected....

Image

This one required stacking glass strips underneath the wings
for a level plane. After which, another piece of glass rested
on top to position and hold the wings.

**An above post by me shows this method/style practiced
on a black robber fly !

Some of the other methods employed/pictured by others
achieve the basic (same affect) using foam angular blocks
with strips to hold the wings fast.

Another, tarantula wasp (pepsis) mount which employed
the method which I have just illustrated here.

Image

Of coarse, hymenoptera can still look pretty decent in a
"resting" state with wings at the sides or overlapping (in
the case of bees); whilst spreading out the legs a bit as
though it just lighted.

I welcome anyone to show us any alternative spreading
techniques and it would be nice to see the work of
others more elaborate (spreads) posted.
User avatar
Trehopr1
Global Moderators
Global Moderators
Reactions:
Posts: 1088
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2022 1:48 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Trehopr1 »

Here is another wonderful and large species of
Giant Scoliid Wasp (Megascolia procer) of the
family Scoliidae. It has a wide range across
many countries of southeast Asia as well as
Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.

This male was re-spread by me using glass strips
stacked under the wings for (a level plane). The
females are much larger/heavier built but, males
are lesser seen in collections.

Image
AggieEnto
Junior Member
Junior Member
Reactions:
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2024 4:02 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by AggieEnto »

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?
User avatar
58chevy
Meek
Meek
Reactions:
Posts: 459
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 5:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX USA
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by 58chevy »

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
Attachments
Pepsis toppini 1 small.jpg
Pepsis toppini 1 small.jpg (782.47 KiB) Viewed 4080 times
Pepsis toppini 2.jpg
Pepsis toppini 2.jpg (142.62 KiB) Viewed 4080 times
P stauderingi-100mm ws.png
P stauderingi-100mm ws.png (650.42 KiB) Viewed 4080 times
AggieEnto
Junior Member
Junior Member
Reactions:
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2024 4:02 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by AggieEnto »

58chevy wrote: Sun Sep 15, 2024 8:13 pm 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 crazy 120mm range. If you are ever interested in selling or trading Pepsis, please let me know! I am in Texas as well.
User avatar
58chevy
Meek
Meek
Reactions:
Posts: 459
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 5:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX USA
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by 58chevy »

AggieEnto, I don't have extra Pepsis specimens at this time. Are you in college Station?
User avatar
Trehopr1
Global Moderators
Global Moderators
Reactions:
Posts: 1088
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2022 1:48 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by Trehopr1 »

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 ---- those belonging to the genera Theraphosa, Lasiodora, Pamphobeteus and the like.

I doubt very much that any collector will gift you such a prize. So, you better save up your loose change for quite a while....
AggieEnto
Junior Member
Junior Member
Reactions:
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2024 4:02 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by AggieEnto »

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
AggieEnto
Junior Member
Junior Member
Reactions:
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2024 4:02 am
United States of America

Re: How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

Post by AggieEnto »

Trehopr1 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2024 2:13 am 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 ---- those belonging to the genera Theraphosa, Lasiodora, Pamphobeteus and the like.

I doubt very much that any collector will gift you such a prize. So, you better save up your loose change for quite a while....
Oh I know, I’ve been learning and observing. I managed to get a 107mm in flawless condition for $80 USD. That will probably never ever happen again :lol:

I wouldn’t expect anyone to ever gift such massive specimens. I just hope acquiring one will not be a bank breaker. If I had the means and connections, I’d just travel there myself and try to collect one.

So my hope presently is that I will be able to make connections with folks who can find them and are reasonable with their prices.
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in