Dasymutilla waco

(Blake, 1871)

Dasymutilla waco is a of velvet ant ( Mutillidae), a group of solitary in which females are wingless and males are winged. The species was described by Blake in 1871 and belongs to the large Dasymutilla, which contains many brightly colored species known for their powerful sting. Like other velvet ants, females are active ground-dwellers that seek out nests to parasitize. The species epithet "waco" refers to Waco, Texas, suggesting a type locality or association with that region.

Dasymutilla waco imported from iNaturalist photo 140797934 on 16 July 2024 by (c) Benjamin Burgunder, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dasymutilla waco: //ˌdæsɪˈmjʊtɪlə ˈweɪkoʊ//

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Distribution

The epithet and taxonomic authority suggest an association with Waco, Texas and surrounding regions. As a member of Dasymutilla, it likely occurs in the south-central United States, though specific range boundaries have not been documented in the provided sources. The genus Dasymutilla is broadly distributed across North America from southern Canada to Mexico.

Life Cycle

As a member of Mutillidae, the follows the typical velvet ant pattern: females lay in the nests of ground-nesting bees or , and the larva consumes the pupa or diapausing larva. However, specific host records for D. waco have not been documented.

Ecological Role

As a , likely functions as a regulator of ground-nesting Hymenoptera . The bright aposematic coloration typical of the suggests participation in Müllerian mimicry complexes that warn of defensive capabilities.

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Nomenclature

The specific epithet "waco" is a toponym referring to Waco, Texas, indicating the was described from or named after this location.

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