Is a Cow Killer Ant really an Ant?
During the summer we hear more about ants and wasps bothering people in their backyards. We get extra calls for ants near grills and outdoor kitchens. Part of this can be resolved by keeping the area cleaner. However, if you see a “Cow Killer Ant” in your yard or grass take heed. These are not even ants. They are in the family of Mutillidae; a large group of wasps. The wingless females wasps are sometimes referenced as Velvet Ants. They get that name because of the thick hair on their bodies that can often be red or orange and in some instances it is black, silver, white or gold.
These color patterns are used to send a visual warning to other animals about a painful sting that the Cow Killer Ant will deliver when necessary. Due to the amount of pain administered through a sting or “bite” they have been nicknamed the Cow Killer Ant. Other people nickname them Velvet Ants because of the think hair. And, occasionally they are nicknamed Panda Ants if they are found with the Black and White hair. Whatever you call them, you should avoid them!
They are not real ants because they do not have worker ants, drones or queens. When the cow killer ants are alarmed they made a chirping or squeaking noise when they are alarmed.
Scientific Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Suborder: | Apocrita |
| Superfamily: | Vespoidea |
| Family: | Mutillidae |