Costa Rica Wildlife Guide
72 species across birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and insects. Filter by category, region, or elevation.
Catalog expanding — Michael adds species after each tour.
Choose a Region
Click a zone to filter species
Showing 72 of 72 species
🦜
Want to see this wildlife in person?
Tell Michael your target species. Every tour is built around what you want to see — no rigid itinerary, no shared groups.
Plan a private tour →
Tarantula Hawk Wasp in Costa Rica
Pepsis spp.
Spider Wasps · ~5 cm · all
CaribbeanPacificGuanacaste
Massive iridescent-blue wasp with bright orange wings. Hunts tarantulas, paralyzing them as living food for its larvae. Adults feed on flower nectar.
Fun Facts
- ▸Sting ranks 4 (highest) on the Schmidt Pain Index — Justin Schmidt described it as 'electrifying, blinding'.
- ▸Females paralyze tarantulas, drag them to burrows, and lay a single egg on the body.
- ▸Adults are completely vegetarian — only the larvae eat the tarantula.
Best Months
Year-round
Featured On
- · Custom Wildlife Tour
