These large, fuzzy red insects are not ants at all, but rather wasps. There are several species of velvet ants in Kansas that range from ½ to 1 inch in length. The largest species of velvet ant in Kansas (Dasymutilla occidentalis) is sometimes called a "Cow-Killer" because of the female’s powerful sting.
Velvet ant females are wingless and therefore resemble ants rather than wasps. The males have blue-black wings and are usually found flying low above the ground in sandy areas. Adults feed on nectar and water. The female runs around searching for ground-nesting wasp and bee nests in which to lay eggs. She will drop one egg beside each brood chamber. The young larvae will invade the brood chamber and feed on bee larvae. As mentioned earlier, velvet ant females have very powerful stings. The best control is to avoid these colorful and conspicuous insects. (Ward Upham)
Velvet ant females are wingless and therefore resemble ants rather than wasps. The males have blue-black wings and are usually found flying low above the ground in sandy areas. Adults feed on nectar and water. The female runs around searching for ground-nesting wasp and bee nests in which to lay eggs. She will drop one egg beside each brood chamber. The young larvae will invade the brood chamber and feed on bee larvae. As mentioned earlier, velvet ant females have very powerful stings. The best control is to avoid these colorful and conspicuous insects. (Ward Upham)
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