Pompilus formosus

Tarantula Ta*ran"tu*la, n.; pl. E. {Tarantulas}, L. {Tarantul[ae]}. [NL., fr. It. tarantola, fr. L. Tarentum, now Taranto, in the south of Italy.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of large spiders, popularly supposed to be very venomous, especially the European species ({Tarantula apuli[ae]}). The tarantulas of Texas and adjacent countries are large species of Mygale. [Written also {tarentula}.] [1913 Webster]

{Tarantula killer}, a very large wasp ({Pompilus formosus}), which captures the Texan tarantula ({Mygale Hentzii}) and places it in its nest as food for its young, after paralyzing it by a sting. [1913 Webster]