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Red velvet ant or Cow Killer Ant

Dasymutilla occidentalis (Linnaeus)

Photo by RickBohler
Published on Project Noah
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30.3666, -81.6371

Field Notes

Description:

These insects are wasps, not ants. Females are wingless and covered with dense hair, superficially resembling ants. The red velvet-ant is the largest velvet-ant species, reaching about 3/4 inch in length. They are black overall with patches of dense orange-red hair on the thorax and abdomen. Males are similar but have wings and can not sting.

Habitat:

Mouthparts are for chewing. Lone females can be found crawling on the ground, particularly in open sandy areas. Adults are most common during the warm summer months. Larvae are solitary, external parasites of developing bumble bees.

Notes:

The cow killer ant. It gets it nickname because it would sometimes sting a cow's tongue. The tongue would get so swollen that the cow in some cases would suffocate to death.

Reference Links:

Red velvet ant or "cow killer"

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (16)
RickBohler
HA HA HA HA....... thanks for the clarification :)
RosalieLandt
Well.....you'd be a bull ...and since she didn't actually kill you you must not be a cow. :) (so no, I guess you're not a cow) hee hee
RickBohler
So if this is a "cow killer ant" Rosalie did you just call me a cow? (lol)
pamsai
wow, that's some stinger! great series...
RickBohler
no ....... she was showing where she keeps her stinger. :) check out this shot (by other) of the stinger....OUCH! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3164/2753265672_555eb1cb9d_z.jpg
RosalieLandt
Oh Wow! She is showing you her stinger in the last shot! Beautiful series Rick.
RickBohler
WOW! Thanks for all the compliments. it made my day :) You should see behind the scenes of me holding a stick and this girl quickly running up and down it as I am constantly switching hands (not wanting to get stung) and picking up and putting down my heavy camera. it really is something to see. FYI: I try to never hurt anything I photographic.
Tiz
Thank you, not only for the great pictures, but also for taking the time to write some very interersting facts :) BR Tina
Neil Ross
Wow, excellent series, Rick. Beautiful photos with awesome clarity. Didn't know there were wingless wasps either... until now. Thanks for the description :-)
LaurenZarate
Wonderful series of pictures. What athletic prowess she has!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Wildlife of the South East, USA
Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Florida's Native Bees and Wasps
Mission
2013 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Intense Bees and Wasps of the SouthEastern US

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMay 25, 2013

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