Sphaeropthalma pluto
(Fox, 1899)
Sphaeropthalma pluto is a of velvet ant in the Mutillidae, first described by Fox in 1899. Velvet ants are actually solitary , with wingless females that resemble ants 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 insects, 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 wings and are active fliers.
Misconceptions
Despite the 'velvet ant,' 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 Entomology 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