Dasymutilla pseudopappus
This record describes Dasymutilla pseudopappus (species). Recorded family: Mutillidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
In comparison to Dasymutilla gloriosa , the integument is blacker (not reddish), and the head and thorax have more erect setae. The females of this species were once thought to be mimics of the seeds of the Creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ), but the appearance is now thought to be aposematic coloration instead.
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
AZ, CA, CO, NM, TX, UT
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dasymutilla pseudopappus Cockerell 1895
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dasymutilla pseudopappus. 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 pseudopappus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Dasymutilla pseudopappus
What is Dasymutilla pseudopappus?
Dasymutilla pseudopappus is a species in the family Mutillidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Dasymutilla pseudopappus?
In comparison to Dasymutilla gloriosa , the integument is blacker (not reddish), and the head and thorax have more erect setae.
Where is Dasymutilla pseudopappus found?
Range: AZ, CA, CO, NM, TX, UT