| Range: |
United States to South America |
| Habitat: |
Various habitats, including deserts, scrublands, prairies, pastures, mountain areas |
| Conservation Status: |
Not listed by IUCN |
| Scientific Name: |
Dasymutilla spp. |
She wears red velvet, but she's not an ant. Velvet "ants" are actually wasps. Females are wingless, and can inflict a very painful sting. Males are winged and stingless. Many velvet ant species are parasites of other insects. Another name for the velvet ant is "cow killer," because of the effect the sting has on cows.
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