Velvet ants are striking, wingless wasps, often brightly colored in red, orange, or yellow, with dense, velvety hairs. Females are wingless and resemble ants, while males have wings. They are solitary and parasitic, laying eggs in the nests of ground-nesting bees and wasps. Their powerful sting deters predators, earning them the nickname “cow killer” despite their generally non-aggressive nature.
Contributor: Melanie Jones Wright