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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) » Pseudomethoca » Pseudomethoca athamas
Photo#270623
Mutillid in California - Pseudomethoca athamas - female
Copyright © 2008 Harsi S. Parker

Mutillid in California - Pseudomethoca athamas - Female
Webb Canyon, ~2000 ft. altitude, Los Angeles County, California, USA
July 23, 2008
I was going through some of my older images and found this single photo that I took of what I believe is a velvet ant which was roaming around inside my house. (I wish I could remember why I didn't take more shots before setting it loose outside?!) Anyhow, I'm hoping that this poor quality image will be enough to maybe get to genus at least. There are a lot of California mutillid species in the guide to choose from, but based solely on superficial similarities, I thought that it looked kinda like Pseudomethoca athamas. Any help at all in confirming an ID would be greatly appreciated!

Mixed oak & chaparral habitat.
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Contributed by Harsi S. Parker on 28 April, 2009 - 7:14pm
Last updated 14 May, 2009 - 12:13am

Definitely Pseudomethoca
This is likely P. athamas, but I'm not familiar enough with the California mutillid fauna to be sure.
… George Waldren, 28 April, 2009 - 9:49pm login or register to post comments

 
How cool!
Thanks, George, for confirming the genus! Up until now, I'd thought I had only documented Dasymutilla species, so this is quite exciting.
… Harsi S. Parker, 28 April, 2009 - 11:13pm login or register to post comments

 
I agree with George and the i
I agree with George and the identification of it as P. athamas is also correct. I commonly see it locally in the mixed oak & chaparral habitat.
… Dennis Haines, 29 April, 2009 - 3:12pm login or register to post comments

 
Hopeful...
Great! I will keep my eyes open for another specimen and will definitely attempt to get some better images, if possible.
… Harsi S. Parker, 29 April, 2009 - 3:45pm login or register to post comments

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