Timulla contigua
Timulla contigua is a of velvet ant in the Mutillidae, a group of wingless known for their potent sting and aposematic coloration. Like other members of the Timulla, females are wingless while males possess wings. The genus Timulla is frequently implicated in mimicry relationships with spiders in the genus Sergiolus, which bear similar bold color patterns.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Timulla contigua: /tɪˈmʊlə kənˈtɪɡwə/
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Habitat
Members of the Timulla frequent sun-dappled patches on the floor of deciduous forests, similar to those occupied by the spider Sergiolus capulatus.
Similar Taxa
- Sergiolus capulatusThe spider S. capulatus bears an uncanny resemblance to velvet ants in the Timulla, including similar bold coloration and patterning. Both occupy similar in deciduous forest floors, and the spider is suspected to be a Müllerian or Batesian mimic of these stinging .