Dasymutilla eminentia
Mickel, 1928
Dasymutilla eminentia is a of in the Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants. Like other members of this family, females are wingless and often mistaken for ants, though they lack the petiole nodes characteristic of ants and possess a dense covering of velvet-like hair. The species inhabits arid and desert regions.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dasymutilla eminentia: /ˌdæsiˈmjuːtɪlə ˌɛmɪˈnɛnʃiə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Females are wingless with bodies covered in dense, velvet-like hair. Unlike true ants, they lack petiole nodes. Males possess wings. Specific identification features for D. eminentia are not documented in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Desert or arid regions.
Distribution
Southwestern United States and Mexico.
Behavior
Females run rapidly across the ground while searching for nests. Both sexes produce audible squeaking sounds (stridulation) by rubbing abdominal segments together.
Similar Taxa
- Dasymutilla occidentalisBoth are large, brightly colored velvet ants in the same ; D. occidentalis is the well-known 'cow killer' of eastern North America with similar and appearance
- Dasymutilla gloriosaAnother Dasymutilla with females covered in dense hair; D. gloriosa females are strikingly white and mimic creosote bush seeds
- True ants (Formicidae)Velvet ants are frequently mistaken for ants due to wingless females, but lack petiole nodes and have dense velvety hair covering the body
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Dasymutilla underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2010, with molecular analyses leading to the lumping of multiple former . The specific status of D. eminentia has been maintained.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- 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