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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Spider Wasps, Velvet Ants and allies (Pompiloidea) » Velvet Ants (Mutillidae) » Sphaeropthalminae » Pseudomethocini » Pseudomethoca » Pseudomethoca anthracina
Photo#101792
Velvet ant - Pseudomethoca anthracina - female
Copyright © 2007 Ron Hemberger

Velvet ant - Pseudomethoca anthracina - Female
Riley Wilderness Park, Coto De Caza, Orange County, California, USA
April 4, 2007
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Contributed by Ron Hemberger on 5 April, 2007 - 10:25pm
Last updated 14 September, 2008 - 6:21pm

Thanks
for another new species, Ron.
… Jeff Hollenbeck, 23 April, 2007 - 8:55pm login or register to post comments

 
You're welcome, but it's really my pleasure.
And while I found it, Kevin is the one who caught it!
… Ron Hemberger, 23 April, 2007 - 9:26pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Dasymutilla aureola pacifica.
… Ron Hemberger, 23 April, 2007 - 3:28pm login or register to post comments

Pseudomethoca anthracina
Based on the shape of the head and thorax, this looks like Pseudomethoca anthracina. It is very easily confused for D. aureola and has the same range of coloration, and the same distribution. Its pretty rare compared to D. aureola, good find!
… Kevin Williams, 23 April, 2007 - 3:11pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks so much!
I thought it looked a bit odd, with a smaller head and less difference in head and thorax size, but never suspected another species. These are very interesting creatures, and it's good to have an expert here to sort them out for us.
… Ron Hemberger, 23 April, 2007 - 3:22pm login or register to post comments

Red Velvet Ant?
Is this what some people call a Red Velvet Ant? Or a Cow Killer Ant?
… Kenneth Dwain Harrelson, 6 April, 2007 - 12:36am login or register to post comments

 
Yes
I messed up a bit. It's a velvet ant, not wasp. (Now corrected.)

Cow killer is a particular kind. Search it out!
… Ron Hemberger, 6 April, 2007 - 12:48am login or register to post comments

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