Stinging-wasp
Guides
Dasymutilla fasciventris
Dasymutilla fasciventris is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary parasitoid wasps in which females are wingless and males are winged. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and western Mexico. Like other Dasymutilla species, females possess a powerful sting used for defense and host subjugation, while males are harmless and fly in search of nectar and mates. The species develops as an external parasitoid of ground-nesting bees and wasps.
Dasymutilla monticola
Dasymutilla monticola is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps in which only males are winged. The species was described by Cresson in 1865. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and capable of delivering a painful sting. The species epithet 'monticola' suggests a mountain-dwelling habit. The genus Dasymutilla is one of the most species-rich genera in the family, with many species exhibiting bright aposematic coloration.
Dasymutilla sicheliana
Dasymutilla sicheliana is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary parasitoid wasps in which females are wingless and males are winged. The species occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other Dasymutilla species, females possess a powerful sting used for defense and host subjugation. The species develops as an external parasitoid of ground-nesting bees and wasps.
Euodynerus auranus
Euodynerus auranus is a species of solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It is recognized as a valid species with four described subspecies: E. a. albivestis, E. a. aquilus, E. a. auranus, and E. a. azotopus. As a member of the genus Euodynerus, it shares the characteristic stinging capability and solitary nesting behavior typical of mason wasps.
Leptochilus acolhuus
Leptochilus acolhuus is a species of stinging wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. It was first described by de Saussure in 1857. The genus Leptochilus comprises potter wasps, solitary wasps known for constructing small mud nests. Published records for this species are limited.
Odontophotopsis microdonta
Odontophotopsis microdonta is a species of velvet ant (Mutillidae) described by Ferguson in 1967. Males are winged and active from mid-spring through mid-autumn. The species is known from California and Nevada in the western United States. As with all Mutillidae, females are wingless and possess a powerful sting.
Sclerodermus
Flat wasp
Sclerodermus is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Bethylidae, comprising at least 20 described species. These wasps exhibit quasi-social behavior rare among parasitoids: multiple females cooperate to paralyze hosts and provision shared broods with extended maternal care. Most individuals are wingless, leading to frequent misidentification as ants. The genus is notable for extremely female-biased sex ratios (often 86-97% female) and has significant value as biological control agents against wood-boring beetles, particularly in forestry systems.
Thyreodon atricolor
Thyreodon atricolor is a large ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Ophioninae, described by Olivier in 1811. Members of this genus are among the largest Ophioninae in North America. The species is known from the southwestern United States and has been subject to taxonomic confusion with related species. Like other Ophioninae, it possesses a short, sharp ovipositor capable of delivering a sting, distinguishing it from many other ichneumonid subfamilies.