Male Velvet Ants in San Diego

[Paladin]

Does anyone know which months male velvet ants are most active here in San Diego? I have no problem finding the females (various oranges/reds as well as the fuzzy whites) but cannot for the life of me find the males. In the desert (ocotillo area), the problem is reversed and I can find the males but seem to see the females less frequently.

Are there certain weeks/months out of the year that these guys are more likely to be spotted around nectaring flowers? The area I am spending a ton of time in is cedar canyon near thousand trails RV park.

 

[myrmecophile]

Male activity periods will pretty much mirror that of the females although it may be ahead of the females by a week or two. I haven't seen as many at my house this season though and I suspect the populations have taken a hit due to the last several years being so dry which has resulted in a lower host population.

 

[Widowman10]

i tend to find males very slightly after i see the boom of females. maaaybe a week after i start seeing them all over the place. maybe that's just the couple of species we have out here though.