Velvet-ant-mimicry
Guides
Chyphotes belfragei
Chyphotes belfragei is a species of wasp in the family Chyphotidae, a small group of solitary wasps sometimes referred to as 'bradynobaenid wasps' or 'velvet ants' due to their wingless females and ant-like appearance. The species was described by Blake in 1871. Chyphotidae wasps are characterized by reduced wing venation and a distinct body form that separates them from related families. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Gnaphosidae
Ground spiders, Stealthy Ground Spiders
Ground spiders (family Gnaphosidae) comprise nearly 2,000 described species in over 100 genera, making them the seventh-largest spider family worldwide. They are characterized by cylindrical spinnerets at the tip of the abdomen, often described as 'showerhead-like' with multiple orifices for silk extrusion. Most species are nomadic hunters that do not construct webs to capture prey, instead prowling through leaf litter, ground cover, and vegetation. Many are agile climbers and can be found on foliage, walls, and tree trunks. The family includes notable genera such as Sergiolus, Herpyllus, Gnaphosa, and Zelotes.
Sergiolus minutus
Sergiolus minutus is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It belongs to a genus noted for bold coloration and potential mimicry of velvet ants (Mutillidae). As with other Sergiolus species, it is a nomadic hunter that does not construct webs for prey capture. The species has been recorded from the Caribbean region including Cuba and Jamaica, as well as the United States.