Insect identifier · Ants, bees, and wasps
How to identify a Velvet ant
Dasymutilla occidentalis
· Also called cow killer, red velvet ant, dasymutilla
People searching “what does a velvet ant look like” or “velvet ant bite” want a field ID, not a scare. Velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) is a ants bees wasps in this guide. Also called cow killer, red velvet ant, dasymutilla.
A fuzzy red-and-black insect running on hot sand is a velvet ant. Do not test the name cow killer.
What does a velvet ant look like?
Velvet ant is About 15–25 mm. Colors people notice: red, black. Field marks: Fuzzy red and black; No wings on the stinging female; Runs on open ground.
Velvet ant is About 15–25 mm. Colors people notice: red, black. Field marks: Fuzzy red and black; No wings on the stinging female; Runs on open ground. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.
Identification marks
- Fuzzy red and black
- No wings on the stinging female
- Runs on open ground
Size: About 15–25 mm
Colors: red, black
Where: outdoor
What a typical velvet ant bite looks like
One extremely painful sting. Not a cluster of pustules. Do not pick it up Ice and pain control
One extremely painful sting. Not a cluster of pustules. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.
If you were bitten
- Do not pick it up
- Ice and pain control
- Emergency care for allergy
Velvet ant vs Red imported fire ant
Velvet ant: fuzzy, red-black, solitary, no mound. Fire ant: tiny, swarms, white pustules next day.
- Red imported fire ant identification (Solenopsis invicta)
- Southern fire ant identification (Solenopsis xyloni)
- European hornet identification (Vespa crabro)
- Boxelder bug identification (Boisea trivittata)
- Blister beetle identification (Epicauta spp.)
- Southern flannel moth caterpillar identification (Megalopyge opercularis)
Range and season
Velvet ant is active hot summer days. Typical places: sand, yard, woods. Wingless female wasp, not an ant. Famous painful sting. Males fly and do not sting.
Sandy paths, pastures, and open woods in the South and southern Plains.
Wingless female wasp, not an ant. Famous painful sting. Males fly and do not sting.
Hot summer days
Common questions
Is a velvet ant an ant?
No. It is a wingless wasp. Females sting; males fly.
Why cow killer?
The sting is famously painful. It does not kill cows.
Related identification pages
- Red imported fire ant identification
- Southern fire ant identification
- European hornet identification
- Boxelder bug identification
- Blister beetle identification
- Southern flannel moth caterpillar identification
- Western harvester ant identification
- Honey bee identification
- Eastern yellowjacket identification
- Western yellowjacket identification
- All insect identification pages
- Identify an insect from a photo