Dasymutilla gloriosa

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 but smaller than some of the largest known species like Dasymutilla klugii. It ranges from Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and south into Mexico.

Dasymutilla gloriosa
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Mutillidae
Genus:	Dasymutilla
Species:	D. gloriosa
Binomial name
Dasymutilla gloriosa (Saussure, 1868)
Synonyms
Mutilla gloriosa Saussure 1868 Mutilla tecta Cresson, 1875 Dasymutilla reperticia Mickel, 1928

Rather than having aposematic coloration like other mutillids, the females of this species are camouflaged by their resemblance to the fruit of Creosotebush, 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

• Evans, Arthur V. (2007). Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America. Sterling Publishing Co. p. 371. ISBN 978-1-4027-4153-1.