Velvet ants are really pretty and, despite their ability to sting, are a favorite of many bug enthusiasts. But where are velvet ants found in the US? Let us check it out.
Have you ever heard of cow killer ants? Well, the name might sound highly intimidating, but these tiny insects are nowhere near capable of killing cows.
The cow killer ants are known as velvet ants and there are around 8,000 of these species worldwide.
In this article, we will share details that will help you know this insect better.
Are Velvet Ants Really Ants?
Velvet ants might look similar to big hairy ants, but these insects are a type of wasps.
If you look closely, you will notice that they have straight antennae, while the ants have elbowed-shaped antennae.
These wasps have a painful sting and are also commonly known as cow killers or cow killer ants.
Velvet ants have brightly-colored yellow and red bodies which are covered with dense hair.
They are considered solitary wasps and are often seen roaming around the yards during the months of July, August, and September.
Can They Fly?
The male adult velvet ants have two pairs of black and transparent wings. The female velvet ant, on the other hand, has no wings, and it certainly can’t fly.
Due to the absence of wings, the female look much similar to ants. The adults can be spotted flying around flowers in search of nectar.
Why Do They Mimic Ants?
Different organisms mimic each other as an adaptation to survive certain conditions and dangers. The female velvet ants mimic some activities of the ants to defend against potential predators.
One of the main reasons behind this is that the wingless females of this species can’t fly to safety when they are attacked, so they develop additional techniques to stay safe.
Moreover, ants are considered one of the hardest prey in the insect world. Their ability to lift heavy loads and fight in groups helps them repel many predators.
Therefore, mimicking an ant is certainly a smart idea on the part of the velvet ant.
Apart from mimicking ants, cow killers also show aposematic signals through their colors to warn predators that they are hard to eat.
These warning signals are seen all across the insect world, including in ladybugs and many species of butterflies
Where Are They Found?
The species of velvet ants are scattered across the world. The red velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) is a common one found all over the US.
You can see these wasps all throughout Missouri to Connecticut in North America.
In South America, you can spot velvet ant species from Texas to North Florida. They are also found in some regions of Australia and the UK.
What is Their Habitat Like?
Velvet ants usually do not build their own nests. They invade the nests of other insects, like ground-nesting bees, and lay their eggs near the existing larvae.
Once the eggs hatch, the velvet ant larvae kill and consume the larvae of the existing species that their parents had removed from the nest. In this way, these wasps are parasitoids.
Due to this tendency, the females are often seen near places where the hosts build their nests.
You can also spot them in sunny and dry areas where bees make their nests. Lawns, cemeteries, and non-shaded areas of forest are also ideal living spots for these wasps.
What Do They Eat?
Adult velvet ants mostly depend on nectar and water to fulfill their diets. This is not different from most other wasp species.
The velvet ant larvae, on the other hand, eat the host larvae and pupae to fulfill their nutritional requirements. Velvet ant larvae are parasitoids, a common characteristic in most wasps.
Are They Dangerous?
The male velvets ants can’t sting and will cause no harm to humans. However, the females are stinging insects that can deliver painful stings when they are threatened.
Their stingers are large, which these females also use as an ovipositor.
According to Schmidt’s sting pain index, the pain intensity of the bite is ranked 3 out of 4, where four is the highest and most painful.
But apart from the excruciating pain, the bites are rarely dangerous. In fact, the name cow killers is a bit of a stretch. Velvet ants are not capable of killing cows or even dogs or cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are velvet ants rare?
In the United States, you can find red velvet ants in Missouri, Connecticut, Texas, and Florida. They love to be around dry and warm areas like lawns and cemeteries.
There are many species of velvet ants scattered all over the world. You can find them in the UK and Australia as well.
Can velvet ants hurt you?
vMale velvets ants don’t sting or bite humans and are completely harmless. However, the females will deliver highly painful stings if they feel threatened.
Apart from the pain, it causes swelling, redness, and irritation in the wounded area. But thankfully, these bites are mostly not dangerous and won’t cause any serious trouble.
Can you touch a velvet ant?
You should not try to touch or hold velvet ants, especially the females. These insects are usually non-aggressive, but if they feel threatened, they will certainly sting you.
Their sting can inflict a great amount of pain. If you want to touch them, it is better to wear gloves so they can’t reach your skin and sting.
Can you keep velvet ants as pets?
You should not keep velvet ants as pets because the females will sting you and your family members.
Adding to that, these stings are highly painful and will cause severe redness, swelling, and irritation.
The males, on the other hand, are equipped with wings which means they will keep flying around your house like pests.
Find out how to manage an ant infestation.
Wrap Up
Velvet ants are quite common in the US, but outside, they are only found in the US and Australia in limited spots.
They get their name due to their ant-like appearance and the thick coat of hair covering their brightly-colored bodies.
The males and the females have different features which they use to survive against predators. The female velvet ants are capable of delivering painful stings to humans and pests. Therefore you must never handle them recklessly.
The bites can cause other problems like irritation, redness, swelling, and more.
Thank you for reading; we hope we were able to answer most of your questions, and do drop us a comment below if you need any more clarifications!