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Project Noah Nature School
Dasymutilla magnifica
Male 3/4", female 7/8". Actually a wasp but female has no wings, thus looking like a large ant. Red and black colored hair sometimes yellow, orange or brown.
Arid and semiarid open lands.
Spotted on Jul 8, 2013
Submitted on Jul 8, 2013
7 Comments
The sting of this insect is almost as bad as that of the Tarantula Hawk. They too paralyze their prey and lay their egg on it for the larva to live on.
unbelievable, stunning insect.
I love these types of ants!
wonderful spot!
What a strange looking ant!! Fantastic!!
Wow !!! Fantastic.. Great spotting !!
Great spotting, Judy! This would be a wonderful addition to the Southern California Wildlife mission: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/7964...