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Wildlife Spotting

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37.5076, -88.8465

Field Notes

Description:

Partially orange ant with red and white anterior. Appears to be of the family Mutillidae (Velvet Ants), but I have never seen a velvet ant with this particular color pattern before, and have not been able to locate any like it online ... so have been unable to determine a specific scientific name.

Habitat:

Gravel trail in wooded farmland.

Species ID Suggestions

Velvet ant (female)

Dasymutilla sp.

Reference Link
Aaron_G
1

Comments (1)
Aaron_G
The velvet ants aren't ants at all but are solitary wasps. The females are wingless and the males are fully flighted. Like most female wasps, these girls pack a stinger which is retractable and can be moved in many directions. I don't know from firsthand experience, but they say the sting packs quite a punch, so never pick one up with your bare hands.

Tags

Photographed
PublishedSeptember 28, 2013

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