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Dasymutilla occidentalis
Found him while on a walk; he was wandering, solitarily, in a clover patch.
Thanks! This is the first time I've ever seen something like her. I'm so glad I didn't let my 7 year old pick it up like he wanted; looks vicious!
"He" is actually a she. This is a wingless female wasp. I agree with Jellis's ID suggestion. Here is another resource:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/13126