Red Velvet Ant / Cow Killer

Natural Habitat

Open sunny areas, sandy soils, pastures, and edges of forests

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Solitary insects; females are wingless and run quickly on the ground while males have wings and fly; they produce a squeaking sound (stridulation) when threatened

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling populations of ground-nesting wasps/bees; risks include an extremely painful sting if handled, though they are not aggressive and lack a nest to defend

Identified on: 6/11/2026