>I believe "Tarantula Hawks" aka "Spider Wasps" are members of the family
>Pompilidae of the Hymenoptera. Don't know about "cicada killers."

Yep, tarantula hawks are in the genus _Pepsis_, family Pompilidae
(spider-wasp family). Big black wasps with bright red-orange or black
wings, depending on the species, that run around actively and fly past with
a buzz. Some of them are big enough in the southwest and tropics to make
you flinch when they fly by.

Cicada killers are in the genus _Sphecius_, family Sphecidae (mud-dauber
family). The "giant cicada killer" is over an inch long, a typical
black-and-yellow wasp but much bigger than our yellowjackets and bald-faced
hornets.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416