''Dasymutilla gloriosa'', sometimes referred to as the thistledown velvet ant,
is a member of the genus ''
Dasymutilla''. Only females are wingless, as in other
mutillids. Compared to other mutillids, it is mid-sized, being larger than some of the smallest known species like ''
Dasymutilla vesta
''Dasymutilla'' is a wasp genus belonging to the family Mutillidae. Their larvae are external parasites to various types of ground-nesting Hymenoptera. Members of this genus are highly variable in sting intensity, ranging from a 1 ('' D. th ...
'' but smaller than some of the largest known species like ''
Dasymutilla klugii
''Dasymutilla'' is a wasp genus belonging to the family Mutillidae. Their larvae are external parasites to various types of ground-nesting Hymenoptera. Members of this genus are highly variable in sting intensity, ranging from a 1 ('' D. th ...
''.
It ranges from
Utah,
Nevada,
California,
Arizona,
New Mexico,
Texas and south into
Mexico.
Rather than having
aposematic coloration like other mutillids, the females of this species are camouflaged by their resemblance to the fruit of
Creosotebush
''Larrea tridentata'', called creosote bush and greasewood as a plant, chaparral as a medicinal herb, and ''gobernadora'' (Spanish for "governess") in Mexico, due to its ability to secure more water by inhibiting the growth of nearby plants. In S ...
, which occurs in the same habitats. However, this species' coloration appears to be primarily an adaptation to hot desert conditions instead of predation pressure; their internal and external body temperature are less compared to orange ''Dasymutilla'' species in the same habitat.
Like other mutillids, the females of this species can administer a very painful sting as a defense mechanism. Being a mid-sized mutillid, the sting delivered is more powerful than most smaller mutillids', but weaker than most larger mutillids'.
References
*
Mutillidae
Insects of North America
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