Taxonomy
Myrmosa atra | Black-headed Velvet Ant
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Species Biology
Identification
- Body length: 4-10mm (females smaller)
- Head and thorax reddish (females)
- Abdomen primarily reddish but with darker brown colouration (females)
- Head, thorax and abdomen black (males)
- Females wingless
- Males resemble other small. black solitary wasps
- Females resemble ant species but with differently shaped abdomen
- Males should be checked with a microscope and specialist keys
Habitat
Irish specimens have been found in sandy areas, such as coastal dunes, inland sandpits and sandy riverbanks.
Flight period
Adults are univoltine and appear between June - August.
Nesting biology
This is a parasitoid species, which uses bees and wasps as hosts. Its specific host(s) are not known in Ireland but are believed to be various small solitary species.
Flowers visited
Not observed in Ireland so far, but elsewhere the males will visit Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) and Wild Carrot (Daucus carota).
Similar species
- Other small black solitary wasps (males)
- Ants (females)
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
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