Sphaeropthalma pluto
(Fox, 1899)
Sphaeropthalma pluto is a of in the , first described by Fox in 1899. Velvet ants are actually solitary , with wingless females that resemble in appearance. The species is part of a diverse containing multiple described species, several of which have been documented in museum collections. As with other mutillids, females are likely of other , though specific records for this species remain limited.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sphaeropthalma pluto: /sfɛˌroʊfˈθælmə ˈpluːtoʊ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Behavior
Females are wingless and ground-dwelling, searching for nests to parasitize. Males possess and are active fliers.
Misconceptions
Despite the ',' this is not an but a . The name derives from the wingless females' ant-like appearance and dense, velvety .
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The Sphaeropthalma contains numerous described , with several housed in the UCR Research Museum including S. arvak, S. chandleri, S. mankelli, and S. rataosk.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- In Search of the World's Biggest Bee: How It Came to 'Bee' | Bug Squad
- Primary Type List | Entomology Research Museum
- How to import occurrence records into manuscripts from GBIF, BOLD, iDigBio and PlutoF | Blog
- beetle species | Blog
- Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Black & Yellow Mud Dauber