Red Velvet Ant (also known as 'Cow Killer')

Typically found in open, sunny areas such as sandy fields, meadows, and pastures throughout the eastern United States.

Adults primarily feed on nectar and water; larvae are external parasites of bumble bees and other ground-nesting wasps.

They are solitary wasps; females are wingless and ground-dwelling while males have wings and fly. They display aposematic coloration (warning colors) and can produce a squeaking sound (stridulation) when threatened.

Risk: Females possess an exceptionally long stinger and deliver a very painful sting to humans and pets, earning them the name 'cow killer.' Benefit: They help regulate populations of other ground-nesting hymenoptera through parasitism.