Dasymutilla
Guides
Dasymutilla asteria
Dasymutilla asteria is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of solitary parasitoid wasps. Like other mutillids, females are wingless while males possess wings. The species was described by Mickel in 1936. Velvet ants in this genus are known for their aposematic coloration and potent sting, particularly in females.
Dasymutilla aureola
Pacific velvet ant
Dasymutilla aureola, commonly known as the Pacific velvet ant, is a species of solitary wasp in the family Mutillidae. Despite its common name, it is not an ant but a wingless female wasp. The species is found in the western United States and is characterized by its large, square-shaped head and dense hair coloration in red, yellow, or orange. Like other velvet ants, females possess a potent sting used for defense and subduing hosts.
Dasymutilla magna
Dasymutilla magna is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Cresson in 1865. Like other members of the genus, females are wingless and possess a powerful sting, while males are winged. The species belongs to a large Müllerian mimicry complex where numerous velvet ant species share bright aposematic coloration warning predators of their defensive capabilities. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Dasymutilla myrice
Dasymutilla myrice is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Like other members of this family, it is a solitary wasp with wingless females and winged males. The species belongs to a genus known for aposematic coloration and potent stings in females. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.