Velvet ants, despite their common name, are not ants at all. They are actually wasps belonging to the family Mutillidae. These insects are known for their dense, velvety pubescence and bright warning colors. This article delves into the dietary habits and life cycle of these fascinating creatures, with a particular focus on the eastern velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis).
Identifying Velvet Ants
Velvet ants are easily recognizable due to their unique appearance. Both males and females are covered in dense, velvety hair, exhibiting striking patterns of black with red, yellow, or orange. Forty-one species in six genera occur in South Carolina. One of the most common species is Dasymutilla occidentalis or the eastern velvet ant. The wingless females are most often seen scurrying quickly across the ground, while the winged males are less frequently observed. Their bright coloration serves as a warning signal, similar to a traffic light, indicating potential danger. Velvet ants may also produce a squeaking sound when disturbed, further reinforcing their warning.
The "cow killer" is a colloquial name for the velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis), which is not a true ant but a type of wingless wasp. These insects are also known as “red velvet ants” due to their bright red and black coloration. The name “cow killer” stems from the folklore that their sting is potent enough to kill a cow, although this is an exaggeration.
Red velvet ants range in size from 6 to 25 mms in length. The thorax and abdomen of these wasps are red above and covered with short red hairs.
Habitat and Behavior
Velvet ants are active during the warm periods of the year, typically from May through September in South Carolina. They are found in various habitats, including grasslands, forests, and deserts, predominantly in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. These solitary insects typically reside in soil or leaf litter, often near the nests of other insects, which they parasitize. Velvet ants are external parasites of bees and wasps, taking over their nests in the ground. A few species of velvet ants paralyze flies and beetles. Consequently, there are no identifiable nests to treat. Females usually search for host nests on the ground, especially on bare, sandy soil. Male velvet ants are often found on flowers.
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Velvet ants are active during the day and may be some of the first insects to hit the trail in the morning and last to settle in for the night. Velvet ants seen walking on sand are all females. Those seen flying low over the ground are all males.
These include pastures, fields, meadows, and along forest edges.
Diet and Feeding Habits of Adult Velvet Ants
Adult velvet ant wasps feed on nectar and water. Velvet ants have a wide variety of anti-predator adaptations. Adult velvet ants are not aggressive, but they should never be picked up by hand or stepped on with bare feet.
Parasitic Lifestyle of Velvet Ant Larvae
Velvet ants are parasitic wasps, and their diet primarily consists of the larvae of other insects, especially ground-nesting bees and wasps. Velvet ants are parasites of other insects, especially ground-nesting bees, wasps, and sometimes flies and beetles. Females lay their eggs individually upon the immature stages of their host. After mating, females seek nesting chambers of bees and other wasps. The female velvet ant enters the host’s nest, puncture’s the host’s cocoon, and lays one egg. When the egg hatches, the larvae feed on either the mature host larva or the pupa of the host. The parasite then develops at the expense of the host, eventually killing it.
The female velvet ant enters the host’s nest, puncture’s the host’s cocoon, and lays one egg. When the egg hatches, the larvae feed on either the mature host larva or the pupa of the host. velvet ant feeding on its host larva. Juvenile red velvet ants of both sexes typically are mature ca.
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Life Cycle of Velvet Ants
The life cycle of a velvet ant begins when a female lays eggs near the nests of other insects. Females usually search for host nests on the ground, especially on bare, sandy soil. Upon hatching, the larval stage begins, during which the velvet ant larvae parasitize the larvae of their host insects. After completing development, the larvae pupate in the soil. Some individuals will overwinter as pupa. Eventually, adult velvet ants emerge from the pupae. Male velvet ants typically have wings and seek out mates, while females, which lack wings, search for new host nests to lay eggs.
through complete metamorphosis. Red velvet ants start reproducing in the warmer months of the year. have only one egg clutch per year. Red velvet ants of both sexes typically are mature ca. These individuals emerge as adults typically in July or August.
Reproduction and Development
Red velvet ants are a sexually dimorphic species. The females are ground-dwellers that search for nests to invade. After mating, red velvet ants will search for a nest of one of their host species to lay eggs. The female velvet ant enters the host’s nest and lays a singular egg on the other larvae and pupae of the host species. The juvenile red velvet ant will feed on its host larva until it is ready to enter its pupal stage. The velvet ant will then create a chamber and will overwinter with the host species larvae and pupae. After overwintering the red velvet ant will emerge before overwintering to look for a potential mate.
The body of cowkiller ants consists of two parts, a thorax and abdomen. There is a slight constriction between the two. They have a hard exoskeleton that is shed periodically. Females have a stinger with a powerful venom but lack wings. The males are incapable of stinging as they do not have a stinger. both the male and female red velvet ants display bilateral symmetry.
Males fly low over the ground searching for females that they find using sight and smell to detect the pheromones that females secrete. velvet ant feeding on its host larva.
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Mating Behavior
When male and female red velvet ants come into close proximity to one another in a potential mating location, both the male and female red velvet ants will begin to stridulate. In this process both sexes will continue to stridulate for the duration of mating. Once the mating process has been completed the males and females will part ways. Males have no parental involvement beyond the act of mating. Male red velvet ants may live just 22 days past the act of mating.
Defense Mechanisms
Female cowkillers have a very efficient and powerful stinging apparatus. The curved needle-like stinger concealed at the tip of the abdomen is nearly as long as their abdomen, and because of its length and maneuverability, it can be directed at quite an angle from the abdomen. Velvet ants, despite their formidable appearance and painful sting, are not considered highly venomous. However, their sting can cause intense pain and discomfort due to the presence of venom. Their venom is not typically dangerous to most people, individuals with allergies or sensitivities may experience more severe reactions though. Velvet ants are also known as cow killers or mule killers because of their extremely painful sting.
They have the ability to stridulate to deter predators from attacking them. Red velvet ants have a very powerful sting to defend themselves if a predator gets too close. Velvet ants use brightly colored hair as an evolutionary trait, along with the Mullerian mimicry they pose.
Avoiding Velvet Ant Encounters
While adult velvet ants are not aggressive, they should never be picked up by hand or stepped on with bare feet. To prevent issues with velvet ants, maintain a tidy yard by regularly mowing the lawn and removing debris where insects might nest. Seal cracks and crevices around your home to prevent entry, and keep doors and windows screened. Reduce moisture sources such as leaks and standing water. Avoid attracting their hosts, like ground-nesting bees and wasps, by minimizing flowering plants near your home. If you encounter velvet ants, refrain from handling them to avoid their painful sting.
Parents should educate their children to not handle them or touch them.
First Aid for Velvet Ant Stings
If stung by a velvet ant, the experience can be quite painful due to their potent venom. Symptoms may include intense localized pain, swelling, and redness at the site of the sting. Individuals may experience allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing, nausea, or anaphylaxis. If a sting does happen, there is the possibility of a severe allergic reaction occurring in some people that will require immediate medical attention.
Distinguishing Velvet Ants from Other Insects
Velvet ants are often mistaken for ants due to the wingless females. However, they are wasps. White velvet ants are covered in dense, white, velvety hairs, giving them their distinctive look. Velvety tree ants, also known as Crematogaster laevis, are small ants, typically measuring about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length. They are characterized by their dark brown to black coloration and velvety appearance due to their dense pubescence (fine, hair-like structures) on their bodies.
Integrated Pest Management for Velvet Ants
Hearts Pest Management employs an integrated pest management approach to handle White Velvet Ant infestations. Treatment at Hearts is tailored to address the specific needs of your property, designed to effectively manage white velvet ant populations and minimize the risk of painful stings. Prevention strategies include educating property owners on reducing ground-nesting bee and wasp habitats and taking precautions in areas where white velvet ants are known to be active.
Conservation Status
Cowkillers are not on the IUCN Red List or any lists maintained by US or state agencies. Red velvet ants have not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List.