Watch out!

If you're not familiar with this fine creature, it's a Tarantula Hawk. Yep, you read it correctly, a tarantula hawk. They exist worldwide and can be found locally in desert areas of the US. (another plus for the mid-west!)

Our recent photo shoot crew was lucky enough to experience these hybrid pests on their most recent trip to Tuscon, Arizona. The sting, which will hopefully be described in detail by our photographer, is among the most painful of any insect, but the intense pain only lasts for about 3 minutes. For food? Pretty obvious. The tarantula hawk prefers female tarantulas and seeks them in their burrows. Sick.