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Red velvet ant

Red velvet ant

Dasymutilla occidentalis

A species of Cow killer, Also known as Eastern red velvet ant, Eastern velvet ant, Cow killer velvet ant, Mule killer

Red velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) is a ferocious parasitic wasp. It's easy to misidentify the wingless female as a red, giant, fluffy ant. Its bite brings such long-lasting, intense pain that it was named from the exaggerated description that the pain of its bite could kill a cow.

Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Does the Red velvet ant sting humans?
Human Stinging
General Info About Red velvet ant
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Attributes of Red velvet ant
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from flowers such as milkweed, goldenrod, and thistles
Larva Food Source
Larvae of bees (like apis mellifera), bumblebees, and wasps
Biting/stinging
The Red velvet ant may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
The Red velvet ant has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
Venomous
The Red velvet ant can induce toxic reactions varying in severity. Nevertheless, these toxins primarily target their prey and predators and are usually not fatal to humans.
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Red velvet ant feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Yes
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Species Status of Red velvet ant
It is native to the United States. And now worldwide.
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Life Cycle of Red velvet ant
Egg The egg stage is characterized by a small, usually oval shape, where the red velvet ant remains static and is incubating. The color is often pale, and there's no movement or feeding.
Larva During the larval stage, the red velvet ant consumes nutrients aggressively, growing in size and periodically shedding its exoskeleton, a process known as molting. The larva is worm-like with a soft body and differing coloration.
Pupal In the pupal stage, the red velvet ant is dormant and encased within a protective cocoon or pupa. It's during this stage that the red velvet ant undergoes a significant transformation in shape and internal structure.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult red velvet ant’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Adult Size of Red velvet ant
1.5 - 2.5 cm
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Predators of Red velvet ant Larvae
Ants, spiders, beetles, bird chicks
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Predators of Adult Red velvet ant
Birds, rodents, lizards, spiders, mantises, centipedes
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Interesting Facts About Red velvet ant
Female red velvet ant have no wings, in contrast to their male counterparts, crawling stealthily to hunt other insects for their larvae.
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Scientific Classification of Red velvet ant
Class
Bugs
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Order
Bees
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Tips for Finding Red velvet ant
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Youth Habitat of Red velvet ant
Grasslands and Prairies, Deserts and Arid Regions, Urban and Suburban Areas
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Adult Habitat of Red velvet ant
Grasslands and Prairies, Deserts and Arid Regions, Urban and Suburban Areas
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When is the Best Time to Observe Red velvet ant
The most suitable time to find adult red velvet ant is during the daytime, particularly in warm, sunny weather when they are most active. For the larval stage, there is no particular time as they are endoparasites inside hosts.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Red velvet ant
Ideal weather for finding red velvet ant is dry and warm conditions. These creatures do not fare well in cold, damp weather and are less likely to be active during such conditions.
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How and Where Can You Find Red velvet ant at Different Life Stages
Adult Red velvet ant adults are often found on flowers or in areas with plenty of ground cover. To locate them, one can search flower gardens, meadows, or fields during sunny days, looking for their distinctive appearance and movement.
Larva Red velvet ant larvae are internal parasites of other insects, making them virtually impossible to find unless their host is identified and observed. For those partaking in research, this would involve capturing potential host insects and waiting for signs of red velvet ant larval emergence.
Pupal The red velvet ant pupal stage occurs within the host or in the subterranean nest chambers of their hosts. Locating red velvet ant in this stage typically involves excavation near the nesting sites of their hosts and is generally done for research purposes.
Are Red velvet ant harmful?
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Red velvet ant will sting when provoked.

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Are Red velvet ant harmful to humans?

Sting that hurts continuously. The female is featured with a long poisonous needle and because the essence of the poisonous needle is the ovipositor, the male does not have it. When threatened, the female will stick out the needle and sting repeatedly. The stinging sensation and duration caused by the sting vary according to the physical condition of each person and may last for tens of minutes. Note that their needles are long and flexible, it is possible to get stung even if they are not close to the skin.
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What is the most effective prevention against Red velvet ant?

Summer is the most active season for them. During this period, you need to pay attention to these:
  • Avoid walking barefoot, especially on the grass, fields, and sandy area around the forest.
  • Do not touch them.
  • Teach your children to stay away from them, even if they look pretty.
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How to get rid of Red velvet ant?

Although the sting from red velvet ant may cause severe pain, it generally does not pose any health risk or require medical treatment. The composition of red velvet ant venom is not clear, but we can refer to the following treatment methods after being stung by other wasps:
Clean the wound and wash the wound with clean water. Remember not to use soap because the venom is alkaline in which using soap will aggravate the pain.
Use vinegar. Apply vinegar to the affected area and neutralize the venom of red velvet ant to relieve the pain.
Use a cold compress. Applying ice or ice pack around the wound can relieve the pain.
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Generally, there is no need to take any prevention and control measures for individual red velvet ant, but to reduce the risk of getting stung by red velvet ant, the following measures can be implemented:
Eliminate underground hosts. If they appear frequently around the house, this means that there are a large number of host insects infested under the garden or house in which they rely on for survival. It is recommended to clear away these insects first.
Use insecticide spray. Any insecticide that works on bees works effectively on red velvet ant.
Crush it with a hard object. Trample them to death with thick-soled shoes or other hard objects, but do not have direct contact with bare skin because the stings hurt real bad.
Hire pest control services. Hire pest control services from local pest control companies and let these experienced technicians solve your infestation problems with dedicated pest control plans and measures.
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Harmful Effects of Red velvet ant
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Toxic to Humans
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Toxic to Animals
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Human Stinging
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Toxic to Humans

Red velvet ant uses its sting as a defense mechanism, delivering venom that causes pain in humans. The venom comprises neurotoxins, which can result in symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including localized pain and swelling. Serious cases may involve more intense systemic effects, although typically not life-threatening.

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Toxic to Animals

Red velvet ant may cause severe reactions upon biting. Adults possess fangs through which they deliver venom that affects humans, household pets like dogs and cats, as well as small mammals and many insects. The toxicity varies among species, but generally results in pain, swelling, and in extreme cases, could lead to more serious complications in the affected animals. The intensity of the reaction is contingent on a variety of factors, including the amount of venom introduced and the size of the animal involved.

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Does the Red velvet ant sting humans?

Red velvet ant is a solitary wasp with females capable of delivering a painful sting, generally to defend themselves when threatened. Human stings are uncommon and usually accidental, occurring when a red velvet ant is inadvertently pressed against the skin. Males lack a sting. There is no significant physical cost to the insect post-sting, but humans can experience intense pain and localized swelling.

More Effects of Red velvet ant

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