Tarantula \Ta*ran"tu*la\, n.; pl. E. {Tarantulas}, L.
   {Tarantulae}. [NL., fr. It. tarantola, fr. L. Tarentum, now
   Taranto, in the south of Italy.] (Zool.)
   Any one of several species of large spiders, popularly
   supposed to be very venomous, especially the European species
   ({Tarantula apuliae}). 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]