Mutillidae
There are several species of “Velvet Ant” (family Mutillidae) wasps in South Africa. If you’ve had a run-in with the female of this solitary wasp, like I have, you’d definitely agree that their sting is among the most painful of any insects, although not considered particularly toxic. Females are flightless and mimics foraging ants while the winged males on the other hand frequent flowers, and are stingless. They deposit their eggs on the larvae or pupa of other wasps and bees, on which their own young then feed and grow.
Velvet Ant female – This flightless wasp mimics an ant whle searching for unsuspecting prey.
Velvet Ant (male)
Velvet Ant female
A Velvet Ant female – the females are flightless
Velvet Ant female
Velvet Ant female
Velvet Ant female
Velvet Ant female
DeWetsWild 
Wow! learnt something new and love the polka dots!😊
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Glad we could introduce – and warn – you!
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I was stung by a velvet ant a few days ago, did not at the time realise why I was running around the kitchen clutching my thumb and screaming. My poor husband kept telling me to be still and my 90 year old mother in law came running, half dressed to see what the fuss was about. Thumb went red and swollen for about an hour and then I felt like an idiot BUT it was unbelievably painful.
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Having had a run-in with this creature myself you have all my sympathy, Ingrid. There’s no denying that the pain is excruciating.
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How fascinating. I will keep a look out for them. Sorry you got stung though. Guess you won’t be picking one up again!
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Haha! You should see me when I notice one of these and there are other people around – I instantly turn into that very annoying person loudly trying to warn away every single adult and child in earshot… 😉
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Not as annoying as not warning them!
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Rather annoying when these small critters go largely unnoticed, until you try to pick one up! 😀
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Very interesting. I will certainly avoid a sting from this pretty creature!
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It’s that prettiness that tricks you into picking them up, Helen! With dire consequences…
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Hey Dries, will be back on WordPress. Back to viewing your wonderful pictures.
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It will be wonderful to have you back here, Joey and Marks!
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A few years ago I learned of a flightless wasp that is found in Arizona. We happened upon it on a hike and I had to post a photo of it on social media to learn about it. That wasp also heaps a very painful sting.
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I suppose the being flightless part necessitates the very powerful sting!
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Haai Dries en daar het ek altyd gedink die wyfie is ‘n mier!! Dit was nou hoogs interessant. Pragtige foto’s!
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Baie dankie, Dina! Bly ek kon jou betyds waarsku!
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Ek bly maar uit hulle pad.
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Dit is maar die beste raad!
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Its name does not reflect its bite.
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Most defnitely not, Tracy!
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I have learned something from you today – had no idea these spotty jobs were called Velvet Ants, nor that they are actually wasps!
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Please take my word for the latter, Anne, because this is a sting you won’t soon forget!
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I saw my first female velvet ant in my front lawn. It was bright blue and black. I did not touch it luckily. I ran to google it and found out that it’s not an ant but a female wasp! I also learned about the powerful sting!. 🙂
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I can attest that the pain from a Velvet Ant sting is excruciating and lasts more than a day! You were much smarter than I was, H.J. 😀
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How fascinating, Dries. Their polka dot bodies are quite surprising. Nature is so tricky, isn’t it? 😉
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It’s precisely that cute polka-dot abdomen that made me pick up one once… 😀
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