Red Velvet Ant or "Cow Killer" Yeooww!!
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wroughtn_harv
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Re: Red Velvet Ant or \"Cow Killer\" Yeooww!!
Hmmmmmmm, I 've been around these monsters my whole life and never knew they stung. I knew them as wingless wasps and assumed they like all wasps are predators and therefore a necessary part of my world.
However, I did put three cans of wasp spray into a trailer full of aluminum beams because of ground bumble bees this week. They didn't bother me but then I didn't bother the trailer. I was worried about someone bumping the trailer and getting hit though.
So from my perspective an occasional lone wingless wasp wearing a bright red coat is much easier to live with than a hive of bumble bees hidden in a bush or ground.
Hmmmmmmm, I 've been around these monsters my whole life and never knew they stung. I knew them as wingless wasps and assumed they like all wasps are predators and therefore a necessary part of my world.
However, I did put three cans of wasp spray into a trailer full of aluminum beams because of ground bumble bees this week. They didn't bother me but then I didn't bother the trailer. I was worried about someone bumping the trailer and getting hit though.
So from my perspective an occasional lone wingless wasp wearing a bright red coat is much easier to live with than a hive of bumble bees hidden in a bush or ground.
Richard
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Re: Red Velvet Ant or \"Cow Killer\" Yeooww!!
I disabled one once with my shoe or a hammer or something /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.
I picked it up with a pair of 6" long tweezers to get a closer look at it.
Then I noticed the LONG stinger sliding out of its backside. I didn't measure it but I swear, it looked like it was about 1/2" long. It seemed to easily be the same length of the back section of the little booger.
The shear length of the stinger got me respecting it even more (I'd already done some research on it and knew to be aware... VERY aware....)
I disabled one once with my shoe or a hammer or something /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.
I picked it up with a pair of 6" long tweezers to get a closer look at it.
Then I noticed the LONG stinger sliding out of its backside. I didn't measure it but I swear, it looked like it was about 1/2" long. It seemed to easily be the same length of the back section of the little booger.
The shear length of the stinger got me respecting it even more (I'd already done some research on it and knew to be aware... VERY aware....)
Chuck52
Veteran Member
Re: Red Velvet Ant or \"Cow Killer\" Yeooww!!
I see about one per year on my patio. Last year the grandkids spotted one and got interested due to it's pretty color. I told them it stings and they left it alone. Both of them, four and five this month, have been stung by bees because they live in the country, and they already know they don't much like the feeling.
Chuck
I see about one per year on my patio. Last year the grandkids spotted one and got interested due to it's pretty color. I told them it stings and they left it alone. Both of them, four and five this month, have been stung by bees because they live in the country, and they already know they don't much like the feeling.
Chuck
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Dargo
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Re: Red Velvet Ant or \"Cow Killer\" Yeooww!!
Fortunately I've not had any of my kids stung, but judging from the reaction from my wife and from Dargo, the things must carry a huge wallop! After several hard slams with a shoe, I broke one in half. While the front half crawled away, I also saw that huge needle of a stinger on it's butt. My wife will swear that it carries a scalpel and tries to do surgery without the aid of anesthesia. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Although I haven't been stung (and don't plan on it), the warning here was really more for kids and curious dogs or cats. My dog is a real goober and eats wasps and yellow jackets all the time. The moron has been stung in the mouth countless times, but still goes after the things with a vengence. However, after one sting from the Cow Killer, he won't have anything to do with them at all. I still can't believe how hard their shell is! If you don't believe me, try to stomp one with your bare heel. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I'm not brave enough to try, but I'd bet you can't kill one that way.
Fortunately I've not had any of my kids stung, but judging from the reaction from my wife and from Dargo, the things must carry a huge wallop! After several hard slams with a shoe, I broke one in half. While the front half crawled away, I also saw that huge needle of a stinger on it's butt. My wife will swear that it carries a scalpel and tries to do surgery without the aid of anesthesia. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Although I haven't been stung (and don't plan on it), the warning here was really more for kids and curious dogs or cats. My dog is a real goober and eats wasps and yellow jackets all the time. The moron has been stung in the mouth countless times, but still goes after the things with a vengence. However, after one sting from the Cow Killer, he won't have anything to do with them at all. I still can't believe how hard their shell is! If you don't believe me, try to stomp one with your bare heel. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I'm not brave enough to try, but I'd bet you can't kill one that way.
Re: Red Velvet Ant or \"Cow Killer\" Yeooww!!
I picked one of these up the other day and started searching about them. I saw females in Kansas, and now have seen a male and female in Tennessee. It immediately tried to sting, but I knew better than to pick it up without my work gloves on. So if you want a good show, have a good pair of leather gloves, and are a little brave/crazy, pick one up. The one I saw was about 1" long with a 3/8" stinger.
I picked one of these up the other day and started searching about them. I saw females in Kansas, and now have seen a male and female in Tennessee. It immediately tried to sting, but I knew better than to pick it up without my work gloves on. So if you want a good show, have a good pair of leather gloves, and are a little brave/crazy, pick one up. The one I saw was about 1" long with a 3/8" stinger.
sassafraspete
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Re: Red Velvet Ant or \"Cow Killer\" Yeooww!!
I forgot about my daughter's extensive insect collection that she put together while in 4-H a few yrs back. I got to looking, and sure enough, there was a cow killer. All of her insects were collected around home, so I guess we do have them around here...just something I don't remember seeing actually. This brought back memories though.... I can remember taking the lantern and a sheet out in the woods at night. We would stretch the sheet up between 2 trees and put the lantern behind it...awaiting for moths or what ever. Seems like specifically we were on a mission to find a luna moth. We were always doing crazy stuff like that. You gotta love kids. Somehow they make you take time to look at things you pass over ordinarily in every day life.
sassafraspete
I forgot about my daughter's extensive insect collection that she put together while in 4-H a few yrs back. I got to looking, and sure enough, there was a cow killer. All of her insects were collected around home, so I guess we do have them around here...just something I don't remember seeing actually. This brought back memories though.... I can remember taking the lantern and a sheet out in the woods at night. We would stretch the sheet up between 2 trees and put the lantern behind it...awaiting for moths or what ever. Seems like specifically we were on a mission to find a luna moth. We were always doing crazy stuff like that. You gotta love kids. Somehow they make you take time to look at things you pass over ordinarily in every day life.
sassafraspete
