What the Chickens Found: Cow Killer Ant
July 19th, 2008 · 5 Comments
Actually a wasp, but you can see why it's more commonly called the cow killer ant
Here’s a new insect for my life list: the cow killer ant, aka red velvet ant. Technically a wasp, the cow killer is named for its exceedingly painful sting, which probably couldn’t really kill a cow, but it’s so nasty that you wouldn’t be surprised if it did.
Note this female cow killer's black chevron marking—fierce!
Only the males have wings, and only the females sting. This one, found in the yard by the chickens, is a female. I saw the chickens following a bug with great interest, but wondered what it could be that they didn’t immediately eat it. When I saw this giant scarlet and black ant-looking thing, I didn’t know what it was, but I figured anything that vivid must be dangerous. And if the chickens wouldn’t get too close, that was enough evidence to make me respect its personal space. Of course, that didn’t stop me from snapping a few pictures of it—no easy feat considering how fast this thing moves.
Just before the cow killer slipped under the fence and into the night
Interestingly, the cow killer/velvet ant/Dasymutilla occidentalis isn’t always red. Its body hair can also be white, yellow, orange, or even black. So, basically, if I see a giant hairy ant, I’m gonna keep my distance. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a good fact sheet about the cow killer, including interesting info about its egg-laying habits, which are much like the brown-headed cowbirds.
Tags: Bees · Cow Killer Ant · Insects
5 responses so far ↓
1 mc // Jul 19, 2008 at 11:36 am
Iris
I saw one of those yesterday too–on a trail at BurMil. I have to chuckle about you building a larger chix coop as I think I commented early on that I thought these chix might end up permanent residents at your home. Let me know when the eggs begin to arrive
2 Iris // Jul 19, 2008 at 11:56 am
You did warn me about the chickens! I was in a little denial then, but I think you might have been on to something. Eggs for all commenters once they start laying!
3 Iris // Jul 19, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hm, once the *chickens* start laying. Gotta clarify that before people start taking weird and drastic action.
4 Audrey // Oct 10, 2008 at 10:41 am
Finally I know what those bugs are! I figured it being solitary, it wasnt an actual ant (Audrey 1, fiance 0) My man was stung by one yesterday, and is still feeling sore. He said it was worse than being burnt with a cigarette. Any info on soothing the sting? Stunning creatures. Heh.
5 Iris // Oct 10, 2008 at 10:59 am
First I have to ask how many times your fiance’s been burnt with a cigarette! (ha) But I have to admit that it’s interesting to hear what a cow killer sting actually feels like. According to NC State, treatment for a cow killer sting is just like any other wasp or bees sting. Assuming your fiance hasn’t shown signs of an allergic reaction, he might check out these bee-sting guidelines from WebMD.
http://firstaid.webmd.com/bee_and_wasp_stings_treatment_firstaid.htm