Natural Horror: the Tarantula Hawk
Perhaps one of the most terrifying films ever made, 1979's Alien still strikes fear in fans of the sci-fi/horror genre.
Some of the more memorable parts of the film involve the biology of the Xenomorph life cycle. After hatching, the spider-like 'face-hugger' attaches itself to the face of unsuspecting prey, injecting a parasitic larval form of the Xenomorph. This will continue to grow as it begins to eat its way out of the living host.
The infamous 'chest-burster' scene - Ridley Scott's Alien, 1979
However, this terrifying concept of an alien life cycle isn't too far-fetched, Ridley Scott allegedly sought inspiriation from one of the world's nastiest insects.
And where did Mr Scott find this insect? Nowhere other than Australia of course! Enter: the Tarantula Hawk.
Growing up to two inches long, with a midnight blue body and brilliant blood-orange wings, The Tarantula Hawk is quite the wasp. Its prey? Tarantulas. This should give you an idea of just how vicious the insect can be, taking on a significantly larger predator than itself.
Much like the Xenomorph, the female Tarantula Hawk is the deadlier of the sexes. They have sharp, hook-like claws on their legs allowing them to maintain their deadly hold on a tarantula, coupled with a stinging barb up to 1/4inch long.
The venom of the Tarantula Hawk is designed to paralyse, not kill its prey. Following envenomation, the wasp drags its still-living prey into a hole or burrow, often created by the prey itself as a habitat.
Credit: TheCrotalusfreak, YouTube
The wasp lays its eggs inside the spider, and will sometimes even tear the legs off, preventing escape even if the venom loses effect. The wasp larvae will later eat their way out of the live Tarantula, killing it in the process.
However, fear not! The Tarantula Hawk venom is essentially harmless to humans, eliminating any chance of a real life 'chest-burster' happening. Despite this, you will want to avoid getting stung as the Tarantula Hawk boasts the second most painful sting in the world, beaten only by the aptly named Bullet Ant.
Do you have any Tarantula Hawk stories, or perhaps another 'Natural Horror' of your own? Let us know what you think.