Velvet Ant and California Harvester Ants

red bug
Location: Anza, California
June 30, 2011 6:32 am
Hi,
Photographed this fast little thingy on our property last year. I’ve seen a couple of them before, but they always seem to escape the frame before I can capture more than their tail-end leaving the picture. Any ideas please?
Signature: Karen

Hi Karen,
The big gal is a Velvet Ant, a flightless female wasp that packs quite a painful sting.  We believe the red ants are California Harvester Ants, Pogonomyrmex californicus, which also sting.

Thanks Daniel,
Love the site, by the way.