Sphaeropthalma marpesia
According to Bugguide.net this is a female Sphaeropthalma marpesia that is a nocturnal velvet ant. I was
lucky enough to find her and one or two others on this day on Antelope Island. © Carol Davis, 10-1-2010
The dark wasp-looking insect next to her in this photo is a male velvet ant but a different species. It is Dasymutilla vesta
and is a day-time flyer. He was very curious about her and kept checking her out. © Carol Davis, 10-1-2010
Female velvet ants do not fly but they can do something else the male can't - sting! After touching her
all over for about 2 minutes, the male finally gave up and went his own merry way. © Carol Davis, 10-1-2010
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