New Mexicos state insect was adopted due to the efforts of a sixth grade class at Edgewood Elementary School. Mrs. Ruth Bradford helped the students research various insects, and then they presented three candidates to schools across the state. The tarantula hawk wasp emerged the winner.

This insect is one of many species of Pompilids. These are wasps that build nests in the ground and stock them with spiders.

You will locate other web pages at NMohwy.com that are very much like Tarantula Hawk Wasp at Wildlife Viewing.