Velvet ant ... new to me

Bugsrus

Hi there

This one was new to me. Ronisia barbarula found in the Camargue ... i think it was what bit me as well!



Ed

Stumblebum

It looks like a composite of 3-4 bugs!
And it bit you! !

Lord Vetinari

Interesting capture - was the bite very painful ?
Brian v.

Bugsrus

In a word - yes!

Ed

Bugsrus

Stumblebum wrote: »

It looks like a composite of 3-4 bugs!
And it bit you! !

That was exactly what I thought and why I followed it. A real chimera insect. But very beautiful.

Will post higher res image later.

Ed

Bugsrus

I've just uploaded high res. images here

http://bugsrus.zenfolio.com/velvet

Gatto

I think it is actually a wingless wasp and, here in Texas they are red and black, and they hunt for the Cicadas killers ( big wasps ) they are fast runners and mean SOB so it probable stung you, as a matter of fact when I got one in a container if they get mad and agitated they buzz like if they had wings...just buzz noise, weird .

Bugsrus

Gatto wrote: »

I think it is actually a wingless wasp and, here in Texas they are red and black, and they hunt for the Cicadas killers ( big wasps ) they are fast runners and mean SOB so it probable stung you, as a matter of fact when I got one in a container if they get mad and agitated they buzz like if they had wings...just buzz noise, weird .

Hi Gatto

You are right. The name velvet ant is deceptive - it is actually a wingless wasp of the multillidae. I think in your part of the world there is one called the cow killer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutillidae

Cheers

Ed

ian408

That thing is huge!

Gatto

We have 2 different kind, one orange and one red here are the 2 that I have found and the last 2 pictures are of the Cicada killer.