Velvet Ants Dasymutilla occidentalis
Red Velvet Ants Identification
Color: Black, with areas of very bright red, orange, yellow or white
Size: 1/8 – 7/8” (3-23 mm)
Legs: 6
Antennae: Yes
Shape: Females – wingless, can look like a red and black ant Males – winged, wasp-like
Region: Found throughout U.S.
What is a Velvet Ant?
Velvet ants, also known as cow killer ants or red velvet ants, are actually wasps. They get the "velvet" part of their name from the fuzziness of the females, which are wingless and often brightly colored, giving them the appearance of red and black ants. Their powerful stings have earned them the nicknamed “cow killers.”
What Do Velvet Ants Look Like?
Velvet ants are typically black, with areas of very bright red, orange, yellow or white. Female velvet ants are wingless, while males have wings.
Female cow killer ants can often be found running somewhat erratically on the ground, especially in bare or sandy areas during the warm summer months. Male velvet ants are often found on flowers.
Some species of red velvet ants are nocturnal and are most active at night.
Velvet ants occasionally enter structures in search of insect prey.
Female cow killer ants dig into bee and wasp nests in the ground and lay their eggs on the larvae inside. When the velvet ant hatches, it feeds on the bee or wasp larva and then makes its cocoon inside the host’s pupal case.
Yes. Female red velvet ants can deliver a very painful sting, although they rarely sting unless threatened or provoked. Male velvet ants do not sting.
Velvet ants are called "cow killer ants" because of the intense pain caused by the female’s sting. The nickname comes from the myth that the sting powerful enough to kill a cow.
Cow killer ant venom is not very toxic, but the sting can be extremely painful. Most stings cause a localized reaction, such as pain and swelling. The stinger can take 2-3 minutes to release all its venom, so removing it quickly can reduce the severity of the sting.
If you’re stung by a cow killer ant, check the sting site for a stinger, that would look like a small black dot. If you see one, carefully remove it by scraping a hard and flat object like a credit card across the skin.
Afterward, wash the area with soap and water and apply ice to help reduce pain and swelling. Benadryl and over the counter 1% hydrocortisone ointment can help calm the reaction. Consider taking a pain reliever as needed.
Red velvet ants are solitary and usually found only one at a time.
Avoid touching or handling a velvet ant, as females can deliver a painful sting. If you find a velvet ant inside your home, contact a pest management professional for help safely removing it.
If you spot a velvet ant in or around your home, don’t try to catch, handle or remove it yourself. Female velvet ants can deliver an extremely painful sting when threatened, so DIY removal isn’t worth the risk.
Instead, leave velvet ant removal to the pros. A licensed pest control professional can inspect your property, determine what may be attracting velvet ants and recommend the right approach for your situation.
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