Family: Mutillidae, Velvet Ants view all from this family

Description 1/2-5/8" (13-16 mm). Antlike, with only slight constriction (pedicel) between thorax and abdomen. Antennae beadlike. Black, with loose covering of long white hair. Male winged, female wingless.

Warning Female velvet-ants will inflict a painful sting if bothered.

Food Adult drinks nectar. Larva is external parasite of sand wasp larvae.

Life Cycle Female actively searches for burrows dug by sand wasps, which are stocked with flies as food for developing wasp larvae. Eggs are dropped in wasp nest. Velvet-ant larvae feed on wasp larvae and food brought by female wasp. Usually they kill wasp larvae, then pupate in host's larval chambers.

Habitat Arid and semiarid open lands, on the ground, and in low vegetation. Males sometimes are found on flowers.

Range Utah, Nevada, California, and Texas into Mexico.

Discussion Female velvet-ants defend themselves from wasps and ants by stinging them.