Red Velvet Ant - Revision history

Gjmaltbi: /* Habitat and Range */

2025-05-02T19:05:13Z

Habitat and Range

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	== Habitat and Range ==		== Habitat and Range ==
	Red Velvet Ants are native to North America, with their primary range in the eastern United States. In the north, they are found from Connecticut to Missouri, while in the south, their range extends from Florida to Texas<ref name= "iNaturalist">iNaturalist. “Red Velvet Ant (GTM Research Reserve Arthropod Guide) · iNaturalist.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/278784.</ref>. They are often found in areas with dry, [[sand\|sandy]] [[Soil\|soils]] that receive a lot of sunlight<ref name= "Cow Killer">“Red Velvet Ant or ‘Cow Killer,’” September 2, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110902230354/http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg344.html.</ref><ref name= "Missouri Department">Missouri Department of Conservation. “Velvet Ants.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/velvet-ants.</ref>. Red Velvet Ants are parasitic and rely on host species for reproduction. Because of this, they tend to be found in areas where ground-nesting [[hymenoptera]] are found<ref name= "Missouri Department">Missouri Department of Conservation. “Velvet Ants.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/velvet-ants.</ref>.		Red Velvet Ants are native to North America, with their primary range in the eastern United States. In the north, they are found from Connecticut to Missouri, while in the south, their range extends from Florida to Texas<ref name= "iNaturalist">iNaturalist. “Red Velvet Ant (GTM Research Reserve Arthropod Guide) · iNaturalist.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/278784.</ref>. They are often found in areas with dry, [[sand\|sandy]] [[Soil\|soils]] that receive a lot of sunlight<ref name= "Cow Killer">“Red Velvet Ant or ‘Cow Killer,’” September 2, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110902230354/http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg344.html.</ref><ref name= "Missouri Department">Missouri Department of Conservation. “Velvet Ants.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/velvet-ants.</ref>. Red Velvet Ants are parasitic and rely on host species for reproduction. Because of this, they tend to be found in areas where ground-nesting [[hymenoptera]] are found<ref name= "Missouri Department">Missouri Department of Conservation. “Velvet Ants.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/velvet-ants.</ref>.
	[[File:Red velvet Ant Range.png\|frame\|center\|wrap\| [https://bugguide.net/node/view/13126/data US Range of Red Velvet Ants]]]		[[File:Red velvet Ant Range.png\|frame\|center\|wrap\| [https://bugguide.net/node/view/13126/data US Range of Red Velvet Ants<ref name= "Dasymutilla Occidentalis">“Species Dasymutilla Occidentalis - Common Eastern Velvet Ant.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://bugguide.net/node/view/13126/data.</ref>]]]

	== Behavior and Life Cycle ==		== Behavior and Life Cycle ==

Gjmaltbi at 19:03, 2 May 2025

2025-05-02T19:03:23Z

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	[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]		[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]

Gjmaltbi at 19:03, 2 May 2025

2025-05-02T19:03:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:03, 2 May 2025
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	[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]		[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]

Gjmaltbi at 19:01, 2 May 2025

2025-05-02T19:01:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:01, 2 May 2025
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	Red Velvet Ants belong to the Mutillidae family, which includes over 7,000 different species of velvet ants. Despite their name and appearance, Red Velvet Ants are actually a species of wasp. Like most wasps, they are solitary and do not form large hives. These wasps get their name from the short, red and black velvety hairs covering their bodies<ref name= "[[Arthropod]] Museum">“Arthropod Museum, Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas,” May 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120526173101/http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/cowkil.html.</ref>. In addition to their aposematic coloration, females can produce a squeaking sound to deter predators. Red Velvet Ants are the largest of the velvet ant species, measuring about ¾ of an inch in length. Females are wingless, while males have dark, translucent wings. The females’ wingless appearance and their ground-dwelling behavior are why these insects are often mistaken for ants. Females also possess a powerful stinger, while males do not. These wasps are commonly known as “cow killers” due to the strength and pain of their sting.		Red Velvet Ants belong to the Mutillidae family, which includes over 7,000 different species of velvet ants. Despite their name and appearance, Red Velvet Ants are actually a species of wasp. Like most wasps, they are solitary and do not form large hives. These wasps get their name from the short, red and black velvety hairs covering their bodies<ref name= "[[Arthropod]] Museum">“Arthropod Museum, Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas,” May 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120526173101/http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/cowkil.html.</ref>. In addition to their aposematic coloration, females can produce a squeaking sound to deter predators. Red Velvet Ants are the largest of the velvet ant species, measuring about ¾ of an inch in length. Females are wingless, while males have dark, translucent wings. The females’ wingless appearance and their ground-dwelling behavior are why these insects are often mistaken for ants. Females also possess a powerful stinger, while males do not. These wasps are commonly known as “cow killers” due to the strength and pain of their sting.
	[[File:Velvet-Ant-Adult-Female.jpg\|frame\|left\|[https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/ Female Red Velvet Ant<ref name= "Velvet Ant.">“Velvet Ant.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/.</ref>]]]		[[File:Velvet-Ant-Adult-Female.jpg\|frame\|left\|[https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/ Female Red Velvet Ant<ref name= "Velvet Ant.">“Velvet Ant.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/.</ref>]]]

Gjmaltbi at 19:01, 2 May 2025

2025-05-02T19:01:12Z

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	[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]		[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]

Gjmaltbi at 19:00, 2 May 2025

2025-05-02T19:00:57Z

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 Red Velvet Ants belong to the Mutillidae family, which includes over 7,000 different species of velvet ants. Despite their name and appearance, Red Velvet Ants are actually a species of wasp. Like most wasps, they are solitary and do not form large hives. These wasps get their name from the short, red and black velvety hairs covering their bodies<ref name= "[[Arthropod]] Museum">“Arthropod Museum, Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas,” May 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120526173101/http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/cowkil.html.</ref>. In addition to their aposematic coloration, females can produce a squeaking sound to deter predators. Red Velvet Ants are the largest of the velvet ant species, measuring about ¾ of an inch in length. Females are wingless, while males have dark, translucent wings. The females’ wingless appearance and their ground-dwelling behavior are why these insects are often mistaken for ants. Females also possess a powerful stinger, while males do not. These wasps are commonly known as “cow killers” due to the strength and pain of their sting.
 [[File:Velvet-Ant-Adult-Female.jpg|frame|left|[https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/ Female Red Velvet Ant<ref name= "Velvet Ant.">“Velvet Ant.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/.</ref>]]]
 == Habitat and Range ==

Gjmaltbi: /* Behavior and Life Cycle */

2025-05-02T18:51:04Z

Behavior and Life Cycle

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	== Behavior and Life Cycle ==		== Behavior and Life Cycle ==
	[[File:Cow-killer.jpg \| thumb\|right \| [https://arthropod.uark.edu/red-velvet-ant-cow-killer/ "Cow Killer" Red Velvet Ant]]]		[[File:Cow-killer.jpg \| thumb\|right \| [https://arthropod.uark.edu/red-velvet-ant-cow-killer/ "Cow Killer" Red Velvet Ant<ref name= "Red Velvet">“Red Velvet Ant; Cow Killer \| Arthropod Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://arthropod.uark.edu/red-velvet-ant-cow-killer/.</ref>]]]
	Red Velvet Ants are solitary and do not form eusocial hives like hornets. They are diurnal, resting at night, and are generally non-aggressive, avoiding interaction with other species outside of their reproductive cycle. Adults feed on nectar from plants, while their young are strictly parasitic. The only time Red Velvet Ants interact with one another is to mate <ref name= "Smith">Smith, Caleb. “Dasymutilla Occidentalis.” Animal [[Diversity]] Web. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dasymutilla_occidentalis/.</ref>.		Red Velvet Ants are solitary and do not form eusocial hives like hornets. They are diurnal, resting at night, and are generally non-aggressive, avoiding interaction with other species outside of their reproductive cycle. Adults feed on nectar from plants, while their young are strictly parasitic. The only time Red Velvet Ants interact with one another is to mate <ref name= "Smith">Smith, Caleb. “Dasymutilla Occidentalis.” Animal [[Diversity]] Web. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dasymutilla_occidentalis/.</ref>.

Gjmaltbi: /* Description */

2025-05-02T18:50:18Z

Description

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 Red Velvet Ants belong to the Mutillidae family, which includes over 7,000 different species of velvet ants. Despite their name and appearance, Red Velvet Ants are actually a species of wasp. Like most wasps, they are solitary and do not form large hives. These wasps get their name from the short, red and black velvety hairs covering their bodies<ref name= "[[Arthropod]] Museum">“Arthropod Museum, Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas,” May 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120526173101/http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/cowkil.html.</ref>. In addition to their aposematic coloration, females can produce a squeaking sound to deter predators. Red Velvet Ants are the largest of the velvet ant species, measuring about ¾ of an inch in length. Females are wingless, while males have dark, translucent wings. The females’ wingless appearance and their ground-dwelling behavior are why these insects are often mistaken for ants. Females also possess a powerful stinger, while males do not. These wasps are commonly known as “cow killers” due to the strength and pain of their sting.
-[[File:Velvet-Ant-Adult-Female.jpg|frame|left|[https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/ Female Red Velvet Ant]]]
+[[File:Velvet-Ant-Adult-Female.jpg|frame|left|[https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/ Female Red Velvet Ant<ref name= "Velvet Ant.">“Velvet Ant.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/biological-control-information-center/beneficial-parasitoids/velvet-ant/.</ref>]]]
 == Habitat and Range ==

Gjmaltbi at 18:49, 2 May 2025

2025-05-02T18:49:38Z

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	[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]		[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]







































	== References ==		== References ==

Gjmaltbi: /* Defenses */

2025-05-02T18:48:39Z

Defenses

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	[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]		[[File:Dasymutilla-occidentalis-velvet-ant-stinger.jpeg \| frame \| left\|[https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html Red Velvet Ant Stinger<ref name= "Flamboyant">“Velvet Ants: Flamboyant and Fuzzy with Extreme PPE \| Natural History Museum.” Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/velvet-ants-flamboyant-and-fuzzy-with-extreme-ppe.html.</ref> ]]] [[File:Velvet Ant Mullerian Mimicry.jpeg\| frame \| right\|[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2275 North American Velvet Ant Mimicry Rings]]]









































	== References ==		== References ==