Mystery Bug Answers
Mystery Picture #42
| copyright, Corel PhotoCD, used with permission | USDA Insect and Disease Slide Set |
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| Novice | Expert |
Novice
Dragonflies are found by streams or ponds darting back and forth, cupping their mouth parts to capture small flying insects on which to feed. More than half of their life cycle is spent underwater in the immature life stage where they prey on other aquatic insects and even small fish.
Expert
As many insects' common names are misnomers, so is this one's. Unlike other wasps, velvet ants are not social critters but solitary. The males have wings and the wingless female may give a very painful sting.
To read more about these fascinating insects, see Velvet Ants and Cicada Killers in our Insects All Year section.
This page is maintained by Pat Dillon, Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky.
Please send questions or suggestions to: pdillon@uky.edu