Dasymutilla montivagoides
This record describes Dasymutilla montivagoides (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
easily distinguished by having the mesosoma as broad as long, the antennal scrobe ecarinate, and the mandible tridentate. The head and mesosoma are clothed with reddish setae. The sterna, genae, and pleurae have predominantly black setae.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Pompiloidea
- Family
- Mutillidae (Velvet Ants)
- Subfamily
- Sphaeropthalminae
- Tribe
- Dasymutillini
- Genus
- Dasymutilla
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
KS-TX-NM
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dasymutilla montivagoides (Viereck 1906)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dasymutilla montivagoides. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Dasymutilla montivagoides (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Edward L. Ruden; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Dasymutilla montivagoides
What is Dasymutilla montivagoides?
Dasymutilla montivagoides is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Dasymutilla montivagoides?
easily distinguished by having the mesosoma as broad as long, the antennal scrobe ecarinate, and the mandible tridentate. The head and mesosoma are clothed with reddish setae. The sterna, genae, and pleurae have predominantly black setae.
Where is Dasymutilla montivagoides found?
Range: KS-TX-NM