Mutilla
Mutilla is a genus of wasps in the family Mutillidae. Members of this family are commonly known as velvet ants because females are wingless and have dense, fuzzy bodies; in Mutilla, as in related genera, males possess wings. The dense hair and often striking coloration serve as warning signals to predators.
Biology: Mutilla species are parasitoids of other solitary Hymenoptera such as bees and wasps. The female seeks
Distribution and habitat: The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with numerous species described from North America,
Human interactions: Stings from velvet ants can be very painful; they are generally not aggressive, but will