Dasymutilla klugii explained

Dasymutilla klugii, also known as Klug's velvet ant, is a species of velvet ant.[1] Found in south-central North America from Utah to Puebla, it is the most commonly encountered velvet ant in Texas. Velvet ants are actually parasitic wasps, among the species used by D. klugii used to incubate their young are cicada-killer wasps (Sphecius grandis).

The specific name honors German entomologist Johann C. F. Klug.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Williams, Kevin . Velvet Ants of North America . Pan . Aaron D. . Wilson . Joseph S. . 2024 . Princeton University Press . 978-0-691-25376-3 . Princeton Field Guides . Princeton, New Jersey . en-us . 10.1515/9780691253763 . 2023007206 . 1376195396.