Small World Discoveries
by Tony Enticknap - tickspics
Taking a close look at insects and other small species that can be found in and around East Dorset and the New Forest ...
HYMENOPTERA | Stinging Wasps
Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
These small to largeish ant-like solitary wasps exhibit strong sexual dimorphism with fully winged males, but wingless females. Although Mutillidae is a large family, it is only represented in Britain by three species. The most common and widespread is Myrmosa astra, then Mutilla europaea and Smicromyrme rufipes described as being the two true velvet ants.
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The larvae develop as parasitoids of various ground-nesting wasps and bees.
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Smicromyrme rufipes
Small Velvet Ant
HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Aculeata > Mutillidae > Mutillinae
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The smaller (3-7mm body length) of the two true velvet ants, with a red thorax and black abdomen bearing several silvery hair bands. It is less than half the size of Mutilla europaea.
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Adults may be seen on sunny summer days during July and August, sometimes earlier, but rarely later. The wingless female spends much of her time running around looking for likely nests to enter in which to lay her eggs. The male occasionally visits umbellifers. The larvae are parasitoids of various crabronid and pompilid wasps, and Halictinae end-banded furrow bees.
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Smicromyrme rufipes is a nationally scarce species that is only found on certain heathlands and sandy coastal areas of southern England from Dorset to Norfolk.
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Smicromyrme rufipes
Hartland Moor, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset | Aug.21