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Traumatomutilla
Appears black with yellow strips on it's rear. Part of the Mutillidae family.
Western region of Brazil.
Wow. I will not be trying to pronounce that name publicly. I updated the name, respectfully. You make me want to change professions :-)
Thank you again @oxyjack!
-Ray
My friend the Mutillid expert recognized the genus of your velvet ant! He says it's Traumatomutilla.
I plan to catch of these (very carefully I might add) and take some clearer photos.
Wow. This is really interest. Your insight is very helpful. Thank you @oxyjack!
One more from NE Brazil: similar but the pattern on the abdomen is different: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/artour_...
I'll send your pics to a Mutillid specialist I know and see if he can ID it for you.
All the females are wingless, but the males are winged. Their common name refers to the fact that the females look like ants (but be careful, the have a very strong sting!). I can link to pictures of similar Mutillids, but I can't find that same species. Here's one from Trinidad, for example: http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/901...
I've seen many of these ants in the region, and all have no wings. Are their any other photos that show an ant similar to this one?