Img_1584 - Dasymutilla alesia - BugGuide.Net

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps » Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets (Vespoidea) » Velvet Ants (Mutillidae) » Dasymutilla » Dasymutilla alesia

Photo#221139

Copyright © 2008 Kristal N.

Img_1584 - Dasymutilla alesia

Hamilton, Harris County, Georgia, USA
August 10, 2008
Size: ~ 0.75 - 1"

I think this is a "Cow Killer" female. First one I've seen, please confirm ID.

Images of this individual: tag all

Img_1584 - Dasymutilla alesia

Img_1585 - Dasymutilla alesia

Img_1586 - Dasymutilla alesia

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Contributed by Kristal N. on 2 September, 2008 - 9:53pm
Last updated 15 October, 2008 - 10:50am

Moved

Moved from Velvet Ants.

… George Waldren, 15 October, 2008 - 10:50am

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I'm not sure, but...

you might try starting with Dasymutilla quadriguttata. It looks similar, at least on the surface.

… Aaron Goodwin, 2 September, 2008 - 11:00pm

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Dasymutilla alesia ??

Thanks! I started looking where you suggested, but I think I found it looked more like the other photos from Dasymutilla alesia. Could this be it. This is just based on looking at those other photos, I don't know much about insects really at all. =-)

… Kristal N., 2 September, 2008 - 11:49pm

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Dasymutilla alesia

This species is Dasymutilla alesia. It is very similar to D. quadriguttata and is likely just a color variant of D. quadriguttata rather than a distinct species.

… Kevin Williams, 11 September, 2008 - 11:25am

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..

So many of them are very similar, aren't they? I think you're on the right track with what you found. What you can look at now is range and what is found closer to your area. Looks like you're getting closer. Good work!

… Aaron Goodwin, 3 September, 2008 - 8:29am

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This isn't THE

Cow Killer - Dasymutilla occidentalis but it is a Velvet Ant in the family Mutillidae. We've a few experts here with this group that could probably give you a sub-family or even genus name. Sorry I can't help beyond family.

… Stephen Schueman, 2 September, 2008 - 10:22pm

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Not "Cow Killer"

Thanks! I just also noticed that in most of the photos of them they were much more fuzzy, mine was smoother in texture. Someone I knew thought it was one, hince the "?".

… Kristal N., 2 September, 2008 - 11:40pm

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