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Red Velvet Ant

Mutillidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

Description:

Red velvet ant. They look like large hairy ants, but are actually wasps. They are solitary wasps and are densely covered with short red hair. They feed on nectar and water. Another name for the red velvet ant is the "cow killer." The cow killer is the largest of the velvet ants, nearly an inch in length. It earned its name by the reputation of the female's sting. It is said that the sting is so painful that it could kill a cow.

Habitat:

This red velvet ant was running around in the front yard.

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mary.gallo.m
Spotted by
mary.gallo.m

Maryland, USA

Spotted on Aug 14, 2014
Submitted on Aug 15, 2014

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