this is D. magnifica, common in the great basin deserts. I actually collected one myself back when I was in imperial county. They stridulate if annoyed.
Yup, velvet ant/wasp, aka cow killer. We have a few species here in VA, too. I've heard reports of them from all over the lower 48. Nasty sting! I relocate the ones I find, send them further afield.
It's horrible, but short-lasting. Ive been stung by the smaller velvet ants, and it felt like someone stuck a red-hot nail in me, thinking about a sting from a dasymutilla scares me ._.
But they do live a long lifespan, and all they need is sugarwater.. breeding them is difficult- they're usually brood parasites of bees and sand-wasps.
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