Velvet Ant (likely a female, known as a 'cow killer')
Scientific Name: Dasymutilla sp. (a genus within the Mutillidae family)
Order & Family: Hymenoptera, Mutillidae
Size: Typically 0.25 to 1 inch (6 to 25 mm) in length, depending on the species.
Natural Habitat
Found in various habitats, including sandy areas, fields, woodlands, and urban gardens, particularly in warmer regions.
Diet & Feeding
Adult velvet ants (males) feed on nectar. Larvae are external parasites of other ground-nesting insect larvae and pupae (e.g., bees, wasps, beetles).
Behavior Patterns
Female velvet ants are wingless and resemble ants, but are solitary wasps. They are best known for their extremely painful sting, hence the nickname "cow killer". Males are winged and can fly. Females are often seen scurrying on the ground in search of host nests. They produce a characteristic squeaking sound when disturbed. They are solitary and do not form colonies.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: The primary risk is their extremely painful sting (though generally not medically dangerous, it is one of the most painful insect stings in North America). They are not aggressive but will sting if handled or stepped on. Benefit: As parasitoids, they may help control populations of other insects, some of which could be pests. They also serve as pollinators when adults feed on nectar.
Identified on: 10/22/2025