Velvet-ant
Guides
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.
Odontophotopsis setifera
Odontophotopsis setifera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Schuster in 1952. Velvet ants are solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often possess aposematic coloration. The genus Odontophotopsis is part of the diverse Mutillidae fauna of North America.
Odontophotopsis unicornis
Odontophotopsis unicornis is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) described by Schuster in 1958. It belongs to the O. unicornis species-group, which contains two recognized species: O. unicornis and its sister species O. erebus. Molecular and morphological analyses support the validity of both species as distinct taxa. The female of O. unicornis was previously unknown and was first associated with the male using molecular data.
Photomorphus archboldi
Photomorphus archboldi is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) described from central Florida. The species is known only from male specimens, which were collected in malaise traps at Archbold Biological Station in Highlands County. The female remains undescribed.
Photomorphus banksi
Photomorphus banksi is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored. The genus Photomorphus belongs to the diverse Mutillidae family, characterized by dense hair and aposematic coloration. As with other velvet ants, females are solitary and ground-dwelling, while males possess wings. This species is known from a small number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or undercollected.
Photomorphus obscurus
Photomorphus obscurus is a species of velvet ant (Mutillidae), a family of wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored. The genus Photomorphus belongs to the subfamily Sphaeropthalminae. Velvet ants are solitary parasitoids, with females typically searching for host nests on the ground. This species has been documented through limited observations on iNaturalist. The specific epithet "obscurus" refers to its dark or indistinct coloration.
Photomorphus paulus
Photomorphus paulus is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are solitary wasps with wingless females and winged males. The genus Photomorphus is poorly documented, with limited published information on this particular species. Observations suggest it occurs in arid regions of western North America.
Protophotopsis
Protophotopsis is a genus of velvet ants (family Mutillidae) described by Schuster in 1947. The genus belongs to the diverse group of solitary wasps characterized by aposematic coloration and wingless females. As a member of Mutillidae, males are winged while females are wingless and often exhibit defensive behaviors including a powerful sting. The genus appears to be rarely encountered, with limited observational records available.
Pseudomethoca anthracina
Pseudomethoca anthracina is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often possess potent stings. Like other mutillids, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism with winged males and apterous females. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse assemblage of velvet ants in North America. Observations suggest activity in sandy habitats, consistent with many mutillid species that nest in soil.
Pseudomethoca athamas
Pseudomethoca athamas is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. The species is found in western North America, specifically in California, Oregon, and Baja California. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged. The genus Pseudomethoca includes species that have been proposed as models for mimicry by checkered beetles (family Cleridae), particularly the orange-banded checkered beetle Enoclerus ichneumoneus.
Pseudomethoca bequaerti
Pseudomethoca bequaerti is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are actually solitary wasps, with females being wingless and often brightly colored with aposematic coloration. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse group of mutillids found in North America.
Pseudomethoca brazoria
A species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, characterized by the wingless females typical of this family. The species name refers to Brazoria County, Texas, suggesting a geographic association with the Gulf Coastal Plain region. As with other mutillids, females are solitary and possess a potent sting, while males are winged and less frequently encountered.
Pseudomethoca contumax
Pseudomethoca contumax is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Like all mutillids, the wingless females are covered in dense, often brightly colored setae, while males possess wings. The species is distributed across the western and central United States and northern Mexico. Members of this genus are known for their rapid, erratic movement patterns and are frequently suggested as potential models for mimetic species in other insect families.
Pseudomethoca flammigera
Pseudomethoca flammigera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae (order Hymenoptera). The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are frequently suggested as models for mimicry complexes involving other insects, particularly checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. As with other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged. The species is known from very limited observation records.
Pseudomethoca frigida
Pseudomethoca frigida is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and powerful stings. The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are often considered models for mimicry complexes, particularly for checkered beetles (Cleridae) such as Enoclerus ichneumoneus. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged, with the sexes exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism. The species was described by Smith in 1855 and is part of the diverse North American velvet ant fauna.
Pseudomethoca meritoria
Pseudomethoca meritoria is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae (order Hymenoptera). The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and exhibit aposematic coloration. Like other mutillids, this species likely exhibits the characteristic traits of the family: females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The genus name Pseudomethoca indicates a close relationship to the genus Methoca, from which it may be distinguished by subtle morphological differences.
Pseudomethoca oceola
Pseudomethoca oceola is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, order Hymenoptera. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and possess a potent sting, while males are winged. The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are often proposed as models for mimicry by checkered beetles (Cleridae), particularly in the genus Enoclerus.
Pseudomethoca oculata
Pseudomethoca oculata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae (order Hymenoptera). Velvet ants are actually flightless female wasps, not true ants. The genus Pseudomethoca includes species that serve as potential models for Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes involving other insects, particularly beetles in the family Cleridae. Observations of this species are documented in iNaturalist, though detailed biological information appears limited in published sources.
Pseudomethoca paludata
Pseudomethoca paludata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are actually flightless female wasps, not true ants. The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are part of the diverse North American mutillid fauna. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and possess a potent sting, while males are winged and lack a functional sting.
Pseudomethoca quadrinotata
Pseudomethoca quadrinotata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Knull in 1938. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of the diverse velvet ant fauna of North America, characterized by aposematic coloration and the wingless condition of females. This species is among the relatively small number of Pseudomethoca species documented in the region.
Pseudomethoca sanbornii
Pseudomethoca sanbornii is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and powerful sting. Females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species occurs across much of the eastern and central United States. Like other mutillids, females are reportedly capable of delivering a painful sting, though they are not aggressive and sting only in defense.
Pseudomethoca simillima
Pseudomethoca simillima is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored with aposematic coloration. The species has been proposed as a potential model for Müllerian or Batesian mimicry by the checkered beetle Enoclerus ichneumoneus (family Cleridae), which shares a similar orange-and-black banded color pattern. Females are reportedly fast-moving and difficult to photograph, exhibiting urgent, zigzagging locomotion on sandy substrates. The species appears to be relatively uncommon in at least parts of its range compared to its suggested mimic.
Pseudomethoca toumeyi
Pseudomethoca toumeyi is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, order Hymenoptera. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often exhibit aposematic coloration. Like other mutillids, this species likely possesses a powerful sting used for defense. The species is documented from a limited number of observations, with 18 records currently available.
Pseudomethoca wickhami
Pseudomethoca wickhami is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) distributed across the southeastern and south-central United States. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged. The species has been documented in 11 states from Virginia to Texas. As with all velvet ants, females possess a powerful sting and are known for their rapid, erratic movement patterns.
Sphaeropthalma amphion
Sphaeropthalma amphion is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, first described by Fox in 1899. Like other members of this genus, it is a parasitoid wasp with wingless females and winged males. The species is part of a diverse group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and painful stings. Very little specific information is available for this particular species.
Sphaeropthalma arota
velvet ant
Sphaeropthalma arota is a velvet ant (family Mutillidae) native to western North America. Phylogeographic studies indicate this name represents a cryptic species complex comprising four genetically distinct lineages that cannot be distinguished by current morphological methods. The species is adapted to arid environments, with diversification events linked to late Neogene mountain building and aridification in western North America. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings.
Sphaeropthalma auripilis
Sphaeropthalma auripilis is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, first described by Blake in 1871. Velvet ants are solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored with aposematic coloration warning of their painful sting. The genus Sphaeropthalma is one of the larger genera within Mutillidae in North America. This species is part of a diverse group of parasitoid wasps that primarily attack other solitary wasps and bees.
Sphaeropthalma blakeii
Sphaeropthalma blakeii is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, first described by Fox in 1893. The genus Sphaeropthalma is among the most diverse mutillid genera in North America. Like all velvet ants, females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species is poorly documented in the literature, with limited information available beyond taxonomic records.
Sphaeropthalma boweri
Sphaeropthalma boweri is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Like other members of this genus, it is likely a parasitoid of other wasps, particularly ground-nesting species. The genus Sphaeropthalma is part of a diverse group of velvet ants in North America, with multiple species documented in museum collections. Specific biological details for S. boweri remain poorly documented in published literature.
Sphaeropthalma coaequalis
Sphaeropthalma coaequalis is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Cameron in 1896. Velvet ants are solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored with dense, velvety pubescence. The species is part of a diverse genus containing numerous North American species. As with other mutillids, females are likely parasitoids of other ground-nesting insects, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented in the provided sources.
Sphaeropthalma difficilis
Sphaeropthalma difficilis is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and powerful stings. Females are wingless and resemble ants, while males possess wings. The species was described by Baker in 1905. Like other mutillids, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species are not well documented.
Sphaeropthalma imperialis
Sphaeropthalma imperialis is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and potent sting. Females are wingless and resemble large, hairy ants, while males possess wings. The species was described by Blake in 1871. Like other mutillids, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism and is parasitoid in its life history. The genus Sphaeropthalma is diverse and primarily distributed in the Americas.
Sphaeropthalma luiseno
Sphaeropthalma luiseno is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Like other members of this genus, it is a wingless female wasp that parasitizes the nests of other wasps. The species is part of a diverse genus of velvet ants found primarily in western North America.
Sphaeropthalma marpesia
Sphaeropthalma marpesia is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Blake in 1879. The species is distributed across the western and southwestern United States and Mexico. Velvet ants in this genus are solitary wasps with wingless females and winged males. The specific epithet 'marpesia' references the Amazon queen Marpesia, a namesake shared with the daggerwing butterflies of genus Marpesia.
Sphaeropthalma megagnathos
Sphaeropthalma megagnathos is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Schuster in 1958. Like other members of its genus, it is a wingless female wasp (males have wings) with a robust, ant-like appearance. The species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, California, and Nevada. As with all velvet ants, females possess a powerful sting and are solitary parasitoids.
Sphaeropthalma mendica
velvet ant
Sphaeropthalma mendica is a desert-adapted velvet ant (family Mutillidae) native to western North America. It belongs to the S. unicolor species-complex, which includes both Mediterranean-adapted and desert-adapted species. Phylogeographic studies indicate that S. mendica diverged from its sister species S. unicolor during the early Pleistocene, with subsequent population structuring among desert populations. Like all velvet ants, females are wingless and possess a potent sting, while males are winged.
Sphaeropthalma orestes
Sphaeropthalma orestes is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) described by Fox in 1899. The species is found in the western United States and Mexico. Like all velvet ants, it is a solitary wasp with wingless females and winged males. The species belongs to a genus characterized by compact, often brightly colored bodies with dense pubescence.
Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica
velvet ant
Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica is a velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their striking aposematic coloration and painful sting. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism: females are wingless and resemble ants, while males possess wings. It has been documented as a parasitoid of mud dauber wasps, particularly developing within cocoons of the organ pipe mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum). Research has revealed unusual reproductive characteristics including facultative size-dependent sex allocation, where larger females produce proportionally more female offspring. The species is also notable for phoretic copulation, a mating behavior in which the male transports the female by flight or foot from the initial contact site before mating occurs.
Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica pensylvanica
velvet ant
A velvet ant subspecies in the family Mutillidae, notable for being the first record of phoretic copulation in the subfamily Sphaeropthalminae. Males transport females by flight and/or foot from the initial contact site before mating occurs. The species is a solitary parasitoid with unusual sex allocation patterns and has been reared from cocoons of the organ pipe mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum).
Sphaeropthalma pinalea
velvet ant
Sphaeropthalma pinalea is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Schuster in 1958. Like other members of this genus, the females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species is part of a diverse North American velvet ant fauna, with the genus Sphaeropthalma containing numerous species primarily distributed in western and southwestern United States.
Sphaeropthalma pluto
Sphaeropthalma pluto is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, first described by Fox in 1899. Velvet ants are actually solitary wasps, with wingless females that resemble ants in appearance. The species is part of a diverse genus containing multiple described species, several of which have been documented in museum collections. As with other mutillids, females are likely parasitoids of other insects, though specific host records for this species remain limited.
Sphaeropthalma triangularis
Sphaeropthalma triangularis is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are solitary wasps, with females being wingless and often ant-like in appearance. The species was described by Blake in 1871. Like other members of the genus Sphaeropthalma, this species is likely a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for S. triangularis remain undocumented. The genus Sphaeropthalma is known to include species that parasitize mud dauber wasps and other Hymenoptera.
Sphaeropthalma unicolor
Sphaeropthalma unicolor is a velvet ant species (family Mutillidae) native to Mediterranean regions of the Nearctic. It belongs to a species-complex that includes desert-adapted relatives, with phylogenetic studies indicating diversification driven by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. The species shows little population-level genetic structuring across its range.
Sphaeropthalminae
Sphaeropthalminae is a species-rich subfamily of velvet ants (Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and males are winged. Phoretic copulation—where a male physically transports a female by flight and/or foot from their initial site of contact before mating—has been documented in at least one member, Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica, representing the first record of this behavior for the subfamily. The subfamily exhibits sexual dimorphism, with flightless females and winged males.
Timulla
velvet ants
Timulla is a genus of velvet ants (family Mutillidae) comprising nearly 200 described species. These solitary wasps exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are wingless and often brightly colored with dense velvety pubescence, while males are winged. The genus occurs across the Americas and has been documented as a parasitoid of solitary bees and other ground-nesting insects. Some Timulla species serve as models for Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes, notably with ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus.
Timulla barbata
Timulla barbata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are wingless female wasps known for their dense, velvety pubescence and potent sting. The genus Timulla is frequently cited as a model for mimicry by spiders in the genus Sergiolus, particularly S. capulatus. T. barbata inhabits sun-dappled patches in deciduous forest floors and similar open, dry habitats.
Timulla barbigera
velvet ant
Timulla barbigera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are actually wingless wasps, with females being entirely wingless and males possessing wings. The genus Timulla is frequently imitated by ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus, which share similar coloration and habitat preferences. These insects are known for their potent sting and are often encountered in sun-dappled forest floor habitats.
Timulla contigua
Timulla contigua is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of wingless wasps known for their potent sting and aposematic coloration. Like other members of the genus Timulla, females are wingless while males possess wings. The genus Timulla is frequently implicated in mimicry relationships with spiders in the genus Sergiolus, which bear similar bold color patterns.
Timulla cyllene
Timulla cyllene is a species of wingless wasp in the family Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants. Females are apterous (wingless) and possess a potent sting, a trait shared across the family. The species is part of a genus frequently involved in Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes, with some spiders such as Sergiolus capulatus bearing striking resemblance to Timulla species.
Timulla dubitata
Timulla dubitata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. The species was described by Smith in 1855. Like other members of the genus Timulla, females are wingless while males possess wings. The species is part of a group of velvet ants that are mimicked by certain ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus.