Dasymutilla stevensi

Mickel, 1928

Dasymutilla stevensi is a of velvet ant in the Mutillidae, native to dryland regions of North America. The species was described by Mickel in 1928 and named for O. A. Stevens, who collected the in Medora, North Dakota. It occurs from North Dakota south to Guanajuato, Mexico, inhabiting arid and semi-arid environments. Like other velvet ants, females are wingless and capable of delivering a painful sting, while males possess wings and do not sting.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dasymutilla stevensi: //ˌdæsɪˈmjuːtɪlə ˈstiːvənzaɪ//

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Identification

Dasymutilla stevensi can be distinguished from other Dasymutilla by its geographic distribution in the northern Great Plains and southward into Mexico, combined with its occurrence in dryland . Specific coloration and morphological details distinguishing it from are not documented in available sources. Females are wingless; males have wings.

Habitat

Dryland environments including prairies and arid regions of the North American interior.

Distribution

North America, ranging from North Dakota south to Guanajuato, Mexico. The type locality is Medora, North Dakota.

Behavior

Females run rapidly across the ground while searching for nests. Both sexes produce audible squeaking sounds (stridulation) by rubbing abdominal segments together, which serves as a defensive warning.

Ecological Role

External of ground-nesting bees and , developing within .

Human Relevance

Females can deliver a painful sting if mishandled, though they are not aggressive and sting only in defense. The is not commonly encountered.

Similar Taxa

  • Dasymutilla occidentalisLarger eastern North American with similar but different geographic range; both are aposematically colored velvet ants with painful stings.
  • Dasymutilla bioculataWidespread North American recently expanded by taxonomic lumping; differs in distribution and specific color pattern.

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