Dasymutilla occidentalis (red velvet ant, eastern velvet ant, cow ant or cow killer) [2][3][4] is a species of parasitoid wasp that ranges from Connecticut to Kansas in the north and Florida to …

Red velvet ant, also commonly called cow ant, cow killer ant, or eastern velvet ant, is actually a species of parasitic wasps that belong to the family Mutillidae and is typically found in the …

What is a velvet ant? Although commonly referred to as the cow killer ant or red velvet ant, this insect is actually a wasp. They get the "velvet" part of their name from the fuzziness of the …

Aug 18, 2025 · Uncover the surprising facts about red velvet ants. Understand their true nature, the reality of their sting, and how to safely share their habitat.

What Are Cow Killer Ants? Cow killer ants (Dasymutilla occidentalis), also called red velvet ants and eastern velvet ants, are a species of velvet ant. Velvet ants are wasps,...

Red velvet ants have very bright and noticeable orange-red coloration to warn predators away from trying to eat or attack them. If the aposematic coloration fails to deter the predators, …

Due to their large size, dense fur and bright coloration, these impressive insects are commonly known as red velvet ants or Eastern velvet ants. They are also known as the cow killer.

Jul 2, 2025 · What Is a Red Velvet Ant? The red velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) is a wingless female wasp covered in dense, bright red hair. Often mistaken for a fuzzy ant due to its …

Jan 31, 2025 · Though it looks like a furry little ant, the Red Velvet Ant is actually a hairy, female wasp! Touching one is tempting fate. Males can fly, but females are wingless, and it is the …

Jul 21, 2025 · Nicknamed the “cow killer,” the red velvet ant is actually not an ant at all – but a type of solitary wasp. These fuzzy, eye-catching insects are known for their bold red-and-black …