🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨

Although commonly referred to as the cow killer ant or red velvet ant, this insect is actually a wasp. They get the "velvet" part of their name from the fuzziness of the females, which are wingless and often brightly colored, appearing like a red and black ant.

The powerful red velvet ant sting is what has led them to be nicknamed “cow killers”.

Female cow killer ants dig into the nesting chambers of ground-nesting bees and wasps and lay their eggs on the larvae inside. When the immature velvet ant is born, it eats its host and then spins its cocoon within the pupal case of its host.

Female cow killer ants are also typically seen running somewhat erratically on the ground, especially on bare or sandy areas in the warm summer months. These pests will occasionally enter structures for insect prey. Male velvet ants are often found on flowers, although some species are nocturnal.