What Are Cow Killers Ants?
Wouter‘Cow killer ants’ are actually a type of parasitic wasp, or solitary Hymenoptera. They are usually found in open areas like lawns or pastures.
They are sometimes referred to as ‘cow killers’ because of their painful sting. They are usually not aggressive and do not attack humans. They feed on plant nectar. However, they can sting multiple times and cause extreme pain.
They are solitary insects that are parasitic on other solitary Hymenoptera, like ground-nesting bees and bumblebees. Female red velvets sting and dig into the nest of their host insect. The grubs of the red velvet will consume the insect within a couple weeks.
They are usually black in color with an orange-red pattern on their abdomen. Their wingless females are a common sight in pastures and open fields. They can also be seen in buildings and lawns.
They are commonly found in southern Canada and the United States. There are over 150 species in the US. The eastern velvet ant is the most common. It is about half an inch long.
The sting of the female red velvet ant is said to be extremely painful and is similar to that of honey bees. If you see these ants in your area, contact a professional pest control company to deal with the problem.
They can be found all over the country, including Alaska, Hawaii and Florida. The sting of the red velvet ant is mildly toxic. They are generally non-aggressive, but they may sting in defense. They are also known to release chemical markers to confuse predators.
