Not actually an ant — a wingless wasp. Females have famously painful stings.

Also called: Velvet Ant, Cow Killer (folk; misleading)

Native status: Native; multiple US species

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 1.5–3 cm
Weight~0.15 g
LifespanAdults 4–6 weeks; full cycle 1 year
OrderHymenoptera
FamilyMutillidae

§ Encyclopedia

Velvet ants (Mutillidae) are a family of more than 7,000 species of wasps whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. Their common name velvet ant refers to their resemblance to an ant, and their dense pile of hair, which most often is bright scarlet or orange, but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Their bright colors serve as aposematic signals. They are known for their extremely painful sting, which has resulted in the common name "cow killer" or "cow ant" being applied to the species Dasymutilla occidentalis. However, mutillids are not aggressive and sting only in defense. In addition, the actual toxicity of their venom is much lower than that of honey bees or harvester ants. Unlike true ants, they are solitary, and lack complex social systems.

Source: Wikipedia — Velvet ant Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Wingless red-and-black bee-sized arthropod with dense red velvet pile on the abdomen; six-legged like all insects; long antennae.

Similar species. Other Mutillidae species (different colors). Solitary wasps (some species; different shape).

Voice. Squeaks when handled (stridulation).

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Adults: nectar. Larvae: parasitoids of ground-nesting wasps and bees.

Behavior. NOT actually an ant — this is a wingless female wasp. The hard exoskeleton and brilliant red-and-black coloration (warning that the sting is painful) are unique to this family. Female mutillids can deliver one of the most painful insect stings in North America — earning the folk name "cow killer" (though the sting is medically not dangerous). Larvae are parasitoids; females hunt for ground-nesting wasp and bee burrows and lay eggs on the host larvae.

§ Range

Southeastern US

§ Habitat

Diverse habitats

§ Threats

Habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the velvet ant (cow killer) is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Skip pesticides.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • BugGuide
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
  • American Entomological Society