An authoritative, marvelously illustrated field guide to the velvet ants of North AmericaVelvet Ants of North America is a beautiful photographic guide to the species of the wasp family Mutillidae found in the United States and Canada. Featuring hundreds of full-color photos, it covers nearly 460 species—representing more than 9 percent of all velvet ant species, which number in the thousands worldwide—providing comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of this spectacular group of insects. This one-of-a-kind guide serves as an invaluable reference for naturalists, scientific researchers, museum specialists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Covers nearly 460 species found in North America and throughout the worldFeatures stunning high-resolution photos of each speciesDetailed species accounts and keys allow for easy and rewarding identificationSheds invaluable light on taxa from Mesoamerica, the Caribbean, and beyondProvides silhouette images depicting the actual size ranges of speciesIncludes distribution maps of nearly all diurnal species in the United States and Canada