#pompiloidea

[addicted2wasps]

Literally me after I take a shower and dry my hair....

[colorsoutofearth]

Velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis)

Photo by Mac Stone

[animalids]

Tarantula hawk wasp (Pepsis sp.)

Photo by Marlin Harms

[astronomy-to-zoology]

Dasymutilla aureola

...is a species of velvet ant (Mutillidae) that is native to western North America. Although it is called a "velvet ant" and looks superficially similar to an ant D. aureola is actually a species of wingless wasp. Like other velvet ants only the females are wingless, male D. aureola have wings. Females are also capable of inflicting a very painful sting. Like other members of mutillidae D. aureola is likely an ectoparasitoid of bees and solitary wasps.

Classification

Animalia-Arthropoda-Insecta-Hymenoptera-Pompiloidea-Mutillidae-Dasymutilla-D. aureola

Images: Gary McDonald and Hartmut Wisch

[dendroica]

Rare wasp species found on New Brunswick beaches - CBC News

A species of wasp that was thought to be a candidate for the endangered species list has been spotted at Parlee Beach Provincial Park and many other locations along New Brunswick's eastern shore.

John Klymko, a New Brunswick-based zoologist, said the kleptoparasitic wasp had only been seen at five locations in Canada in the past 10 years before last year.

Klymko said this led the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to list the wasp as a "high priority" candidate to be considered under the federal Species at Risk Act.

But he said the fieldwork carried out in 2015 by the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre showed the species at 21 of 26 dune areas studied in New Brunswick.

"It's presumably fairly secure here in New Brunswick, at least in the short to medium term." Klymko said. "Dune habitats in general are secure in the short to medium term, however in the long term issues like sea level rise could severely impact the habitat available to the species."

Klymko said given the number of wasps discovered, it is likely the species is also present in adjacent areas in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Klymko describes the species, known only by its scientific name Ceropales bipunctata, as hairless and sleek, and about an 2.5 centimetres long. The wasps are all black. Males have yellow faces and both sexes have bright orange hind legs.

While they might look intimidating, Klymko said seeing a swarm of six to 12 kleptoparasitic wasps shouldn't worry people.

[addicted2wasps]

Another book for the collection! Highly recommended. Lots of detailed photos and information!

[addicted2wasps]

Feeling random tonight. Here are some Mutillids with shades, cause they're cool.

[addicted2wasps]

37 of 48. After a few days of pondering, I decided to draw Aporus hirsutus. I personally think it's very cute and also very blue! The scan really doesn't do justice, however. It looks better in person. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[addicted2wasps]

Some of you were quite intrigued by my wasp illustrations from the meme I made, and were wanting to know the names of each one. I decided to add the chart with names included for a better understanding. If anyone wants to know more about one in particular, drop a comment in the comment section and I'd be happy to share more info!

[addicted2wasps]

Pretty, but painful! I really appreciate all the kind comments I've gotten on my recent works lately. I've been really driven to create and challenge myself. Today's model is the Pacific Velvet Ant, or Dasymutilla aureola. For some reason my scanner doesn't pick up hair details very well. The first picture is the scan, the second is a picture taken with my phone. This subject was really fun to draw! I may draw some cool Chalcidoid wasp next! Taking a small break for now.

[addicted2wasps]

40 of 48. It was a tough decision, but I sacrificed one wasp on my list so that I could include this Sphictostethus gravesii in defensive posture instead. Its wings are so cute, and it's too cool and showy to leave out in my opinion, even though it's yet another Pompilid. Next on my list is Evania appendigaster, so that should be interesting!

[addicted2wasps]

39 of 48. Even though I have already drawn a Pompilid, I was made aware of this species named Herbstellus chango, and I thought it was way too cool to leave out. It’s native to Chile and it’s coloured like a reverse Chrysis ignita. Definitely my favourite spider wasp as of yet.

[addicted2wasps]

Dasymutilla gloriosa that I drew in 2017. Love these wasps!

Also, there should totally be a wasp emoji. I'm still waiting..... *crossed arms and taps foot*

[addicted2wasps]

This photo really made my day. I absolutely HAVE to draw this one!

[addicted2wasps]

What if a Pepsis used a Cameronella as a dart? Welp, I decided to draw that. Another wasp comic brought to you by my weird brain! 😅

[addicted2wasps]

Warning! ⚠️ SHOCKINGLY RANDOM. Dasymutilla occidentalis + ⚡️= Static Setae! These two look like they just came out of the dryer, or took a stroll onto a static ball. This was an old concept from 2014. I know, my mind is weird, okay.