Dasymutilla asopus
(Cresson, 1865)
Dasymutilla asopus is a of velvet ant in the Mutillidae. Like all mutillids, females are wingless while males possess wings. The species exhibits the bright aposematic coloration typical of the , warning of its potent sting. As a , females seek out ground-nesting to deposit their . The species occurs across western North America, with confirmed observations from multiple states and provinces.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dasymutilla asopus: /ˌdæsɪmjʊˈtɪlə ˈæsəpəs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
Western North America. Documented from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and British Columbia based on iNaturalist observations.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Insect FAQs | Entomology Research Museum
- Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Dasymutilla bioculata
- The gloriously dichromatic Dasymutilla gloriosa | Beetles In The Bush
- A sting to kill a cow? Red velvet ant, a.k.a. cow killer, Dasymutilla occidentalis — Bug of the Week
- Mutillidae | Beetles In The Bush
- Bees vs wasps: what's the difference? - Buglife Blog - Buglife