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Dasymutilla occidentalis
The Eastern Velvet Ant or Red Velvet Ant, is a species of parasitoid wasp that is native to the eastern United States. Commonly mistaken for a member of the true ant family, the female is wingless. The species ranges from Connecticut to Missouri in the north and from Florida to Texas in the south. Other common names include cow ant and cow killer. The Eastern Velvet Ant is the largest of the velvet ant species in the United States, attaining an approximate length of ¾ of an inch (1.9 cm). Adults display aposematic coloration, consisting of black overall coloring with an orange-red pattern on the dorsal surface of the thorax and abdomen. They are covered in dense velvet-like hair. Females are capable of a extremely painful sting, hence the name "cow killer." They seek out the chambers of ground-nesting bumble bees and other members of Hymenoptera, where they deposit an egg onto a host larva. The egg quickly hatches into a white legless grub, which consumes the host and goes through several larval stages prior to pupa formation. Unlike the females, males have dark, transparent wings and no sting.
This specimen is a male. They are differentiated from females by their wings and their lack of a stinger. Also known as "cow killer" and "red velvet ant."
5 Comments
First time I ever see the male, thanks for sharing Aaron!
It's stridulation, where two body parts are rubbed together to create sound, but I don't know if males do it. That's a very good question that I can't answer at this time. If I happen to snag another male this season, I'll be sure to report back here. :-)
that is amazing! so, do the males make the crazy laser gun noise? I am guessing not?
The males blend in with all the other bees/wasps and are easily missed. I only got shots of this one because my Bug Buddy at work tipped me off to an area where 3 males were buzzing around, looking for females, I presume. And the more impressive thing is my friend only has one eye and she STILL spotted the males. :-)
we should introduce our wasps! I never see males here, the girls must be lonely!