Wasp German - hairy mutillid, beautiful and deceptive
There are ants that are covered with thick hair. They are also much larger than ordinary insects. And indeed, in fact, animals nicknamed as velvet ants are German wasps.
Content
Mutillids or German wasps
German wasps, or as they are called velvet ants for their resemblance to insects, are representatives of riders. They lay their eggs in the nests of other species of wasps or flies. They also place the larvae on other animals, which become a source of food.
Features of the structure
Males and females of representatives of fluffy wasps differ significantly from each other.
| Features | Males | females |
| Wings | They have | Dont Have |
| Eyes | developed | reduced |
| Abdomen | 7 tergites and 8 sternites | 6 segments, 2 side segments |
| Color | Black-brown, rusty-red sclerites | Bright, red-brown or red |
| The sting | No | There is |
Individuals without wings are really similar to ants, only much larger in size. And for covering with hairs they called velvet.
German wasps and people
Velvet ant.
Like other representatives of parasitic wasps, Germans lay eggs in the larvae of other insects. These hosts are both a place of residence for young individuals and food.
The presence of a sting provides ease of biting in order to lay eggs. German women can be dangerous for people too. Although they do not lay their eggs under human skin, the bite can be itchy and painful for several hours.
Distribution
In total, there are several thousand species of mutillid representatives. They prefer steppe regions, forest-steppe and deserts. In total, about 170 species are registered on the territory of the former USSR and in Europe.
Conclusion
Among the wide variety of Hymenoptera, the German wasp attracts with its appearance - a beautiful large animal, similar to an ant, with velvet hairs all over its body. But their harmless appearance should not deceive - in fact, small furry parasite animals that live and feed at the expense of others.
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