Red Velvet Ant

[Steve H]

So I was outside yesterday afternoon and I noticed this large moving object on the outside of my screened porch. Walked out and took a look at it and found this:



They are known as Red Velvet Ants (actually in the wasp family) and supposedly have a nasty bite. Ran in and grabbed my camera and got a few shots.

[Travis C.]

nice pic Steve.

You are right on that one they are a wingless-wasp.  Also, commonly called in some relms a cow killer ant.

Don't know about the bite but the sting is really painful and if you go to stomp one be sure to get him good. If you gingerly step down on him you can still feel him moving under your foot...they are tough.

[Steve H]

nice pic Steve.

You are right on that one they are a wingless-wasp.  Also, commonly called in some relms a cow killer ant.

Don't know about the bite but the sting is really painful and if you go to stomp one be sure to get him good. If you gingerly step down on him you can still feel him moving under your foot...they are tough.

Travis, thanks for the compliment.

You are correct it is a sting not a bite, my bad on that. I also did a little more reading and yes, they are known as cow killers. I let it go on its way since it wasn't bothering anything. Apparently the solitary creatures.

[grumpy]

yep, i've known them a scow killers & dead if under my foot

cool pic.

Grumpy