# Dasymutilla californica The California Velvet Ant is a colorful insect that looks like a fuzzy ant but is actually a wasp! They are known for their bright colors and can be found in sunny places. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** California Velvet Ant ![Dasymutilla californica](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dasymutilla_californica.jpg&width=800) Photo: Henrik Kibak, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dasymutilla_californica.jpg) ## Appearance The Dasymutilla californica is a striking, fuzzy insect with a bright red or orange head and abdomen, contrasting with a black middle section. Females are wingless and resemble large, hairy ants, while males possess dark, translucent wings. Its dense, velvety hair gives it a unique, plush appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Mutillidae - **Genus:** Dasymutilla ## Interesting facts - Despite their name, velvet ants are actually a type of solitary wasp, not ants! - Female velvet ants are wingless and run incredibly fast across the ground. - The sting of some velvet ants is rumored to be painful enough to 'kill a cow'! - Their vibrant colors like red and orange are a 'danger sign' to predators. ## Special abilities - **Super Sting:** Dasymutilla californica females have an extremely potent sting because of specialized venom, that helps them defend against predators. - **Armored Body:** Dasymutilla californica has a remarkably tough exoskeleton that helps them resist crushing and other physical attacks. - **Warning Squeak:** Dasymutilla californica can make a squeaking sound by rubbing body parts that helps them warn predators to stay away. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-40 mm - **Size:** 10-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their young are parasitic on other insect larvae. - **Age differences:** Larvae are ectoparasitoids, feeding on the larvae and pupae of ground-nesting bees and wasps. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, honeydew - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Yellow-faced Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-faced-bumble-bee) (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Its larvae develop inside the nests of this bee. - **Parasitizes:** [Great Golden Digger Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-golden-digger-wasp) (*Sphex ichneumoneus*) — Its larvae are parasites of this wasp's young. - **Pollinates:** [California Poppy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-poppy) (*Eschscholzia californica*) — Adults visit this flower for nectar, aiding its reproduction. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate If you see one, it's best to admire it from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dasymutilla californica? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Dasymutilla californica's wingspan? 20-40 mm ### How big is Dasymutilla californica? 10-25 mm ### How long does Dasymutilla californica live? 30-90 days ### What does Dasymutilla californica eat? Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their young are parasitic on other insect larvae. ### Where is Dasymutilla californica usually found? Grasslands ### How does Dasymutilla californica hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Dasymutilla californica have? 6 ## Where to spot - [San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-luis-obispo-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Dasymutilla californica: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dasymutilla-californica)