Velvet Ants
Mutillidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Pompiloidea
- Family: Mutillidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Mutillidae: /mjuːˈtɪlɪdiː/
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Summary
Mutillidae, or velvet ants, are a diverse family of wingless wasps known for their painful stings and striking appearance. They have evolved a series of aposematic traits and strong defense mechanisms that deter predation. With a complex life cycle as ectoparasitoids of other insects, they play a significant role in their ecosystems.
Physical Characteristics
Wingless females resemble large, hairy ants, typically bright scarlet or orange with a dense pile of hair. Their exoskeletons are exceptionally tough and durable, stronger than that of honeybees, which helps them resist predation and retain moisture.
Identification Tips
Females are wingless and resemble ants, while males have wings. The significantly distinctive morphology between sexes can make species pair identification challenging without observation during mating.
Habitat
Primarily found in southwestern North America, particularly in drier areas. They are found worldwide.
Distribution
More than 8,000 species distributed worldwide, with over 400 species occurring in the North American Southwest. Includes eight Müllerian mimicry rings in North America.
Diet
Adults primarily feed on nectar; females are often active during the day, with some nocturnal species.
Life Cycle
Females enter host insect nests to deposit eggs near larvae or pupae, developing as idiobiont ectoparasitoids and killing their hosts within a week or two.
Reproduction
Mating occurs when males fly in search of females; eggs are laid near the larvae or pupae of host insects.
Predators
Generally, local predators avoid velvet ants due to their strong defense mechanisms. Observed predators include tropical and subtropical iguanian lizards (Dactyloidae).
Ecosystem Role
As ectoparasitoids, they regulate populations of various insect hosts, primarily ground-nesting bees and wasps.
Cultural Significance
Known as 'cow killers' for the painful sting of some species, particularly Dasymutilla occidentalis.
Health Concerns
Their sting can be extremely painful, rated a 3 on the Schmidt pain index, and is considered more painful than many wasps or bees, although they are not aggressive unless threatened.
Collecting Methods
- Netting
- Hand collection
Preservation Methods
- Pinning
- Ethanol concentration
Evolution
Mutillidae exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism and are known for their convergent evolution of aposematic traits, resulting in numerous Müllerian mimicry rings across species.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Despite their common name, velvet ants are not true ants; they are solitary wasps and lack social structures.
Tags
- Mutillidae
- Velvet Ants
- Hymenoptera
- Solitary Wasps
- Aposematism