Velvet Ant, Cow Killer (Dasymutilla occidentalis)

Order: Hymenoptera (hy-men-OP-ter-a) (Info) Family: Mutillidae Genus: Dasymutilla Species: occidentalis Profile: 1 positive 9 neutrals 1 negative Regional... This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: Amity, Arkansas Paris, Arkansas Dover, Delaware Smyrna, Delaware Alford, Florida Crystal River, Florida Deltona, Florida (2 reports) Molino, Florida Quincy, Florida Williston, Florida Cartersville, Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia Dallas, Georgia Emerson, Georgia Jesup, Georgia Martinez, Georgia Molena, Georgia Shelley, Idaho Kansas, Illinois Paris, Illinois Corydon, Indiana Orleans, Indiana Salvisa, Kentucky Carencro, Louisiana Adamstown, Maryland Compton, Maryland Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi Marietta, Mississippi Brooklyn Heights, Missouri Charlotte, North Carolina Concord, North Carolina Ellerbe, North Carolina Matthews, North Carolina Saint Pauls, North Carolina Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Belton, South Carolina Fort Mill, South Carolina Fountain Inn, South Carolina Moncks Corner, South Carolina Red Hill, South Carolina Summerville, South Carolina Baneberry, Tennessee Clarksville, Tennessee Crossville, Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee Murfreesboro, Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee Oakland, Tennessee Baytown, Texas Bryan, Texas Emory, Texas Mabank, Texas Paige, Texas Colonial Heights, Virginia Fredericksburg, Virginia Midland, Virginia Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Neutral jrgray On Aug 13, 2008, jrgray from Emerson, GA wrote: I had never seen this insect before today. I saw two of these on opposite ends of my property (about 0.2 mi) today. They are tough little critters. Neutral tonsse On Jul 12, 2009, tonsse from Bryan, TX wrote: This is the first time I've ever seen one of these insects. I was really curious as to whether or not these pose a threat to my toddlers. I have two toddlers that are three and one and a half years. I am not into spraying for bugs unless absolutely necessary because I believe that all insects and wildlife serve a purpose of some kind whether we understand it or not. I read that they can sting and it's supposedly really painful, but does anyone know how aggressive they really are? The one I came near seemed more timid and anxious to get as far away from me as possible, as fast as possible. Is this how they all behave or should I be worried for my children's sake? Neutral abdelnur99 On Jul 19, 2009, abdelnur99 from Augusta, GA wrote: We just found one of these in our backyard and checked on the Georgia . of Agriculture website. It is apparently a female (no wings) wasp, with the common name of velvet ant because of its appearance. It is, according to the website, a solitary insect that has no nest per se, but can put its larvae in a parasitic capacity into the nest of bumblebees. The worst, though, for those of us with small children, is that the other nickname "cow killer" is in relation to the power of its sting. The stinger is hidden in its abdomen and is apparently wicked, although the pincers in the front do not look to great either. The site said they were solitary, non-aggressive critters, but I am putting shoes on the kids just in case... Neutral dixiegril On Aug 8, 2009, dixiegril from Jesup, GA wrote: I dont know if any of you already know this if, you pin a cow killer ant down,preferably with a stick, it will make a sort of screaming sound. They are tough and this wont cause any harm to the ant. Use caution if you try this. Positive JFarmer On Aug 21, 2009, JFarmer from Colonial Heights, VA wrote: August 21, 2009 My son and I saw for the first time ever today, the Red Velvet Ant. It was about an inch in size and crawled from the driveway into the grass. It was bright red with some black stripes. We were tempted to pick it up but didn't. I had to check it out to find out the type of insect that it is. My son guessed that it was related to a wasp but this was the female without any wings. Neutral spirits1958 On Aug 23, 2009, spirits1958 from Dover, DE wrote: Neutral sempai On Aug 24, 2009, sempai from Crystal River, FL wrote: Cow Killers are very painful. The odd thing is they ARE called cow killers. The name comes from when cow steps on the ant it will sting the soft part of the cows hoof. This will cause swelling. I believe my room mate just got bit by one. Fire ants make him swell so the reaction could have been amplified but his whole arm swelled up. But these things have to be stepped on on a rock for you to kill them. Usually they are not much of a problem. Like said before you usually only get one at a time. Neutral paintchix On Aug 26, 2009, paintchix from Carthage, MO wrote: I have seen 2 of these in the past month and had no idea what they were. I didn't want to kill them if they were beneficial, but the screaming orange & black color in this insect family makes me suspicious of their behavior. I do have many bumblebees - they have been my biggest pollinators by far - so will kill these the next time I see them to prevent the destruction of the bumblebees. Neutral iluvcountry On Jul 13, 2010, iluvcountry from Smyrna, DE (Zone 7a) wrote: I saw one in Smyrna, DE today 7/13/10. It was a female and it scurried through the grass over the sidewalk and into the garden. Neutral tennflea On Jul 28, 2010, tennflea from Grantville, GA wrote: I have seen 5 of these bugs in the past week. Three on Sunday while out in front of my house painting. They are bright red here in Grantville, Georgia. Scary to think they are in the grass. I will be afraid to wear flip flops in the yard from now on. And never go barefoot. Since we saw three in just a matter of a few minutes, does that mean we have a nest in the front garden or something?? Negative KariHoltz On Apr 3, 2011, KariHoltz from Midland, VA (Zone 7a) wrote: We have two that travel our property, we stay away from them. I was stung by one when I was much younger, it hurt very bad.

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