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Chyphotes sp. 
Bradynobaenidae
Southern California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

Bradynobaenid wasps are infrequently encountered insects that inhabit arid regions around the world.  Females, such as the Chyphotes pictured here, are wingless and resemble nocturnal velvet ants (Mutillidae).  Males are winged.  Little is known about their natural history, but they may be parasites of Solifugae, the sun scorpions.

 
USA, CA: San Diego Co., Clark Dry Lake, Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
3.iv.2005  33º20'N 116º18'W, 170m
Sonoran (Colorado) desert
#AW2601, voucher specimens deposited at ALWC

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60 with a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.