I don't have a picture, but that's the best I can describe them... They're bigger than a bumblebee, almost... And they're fuzzy like bumblebees, and they have stripes like bumblebees, only instead og black and yellow, it's black and red.... they look JUST like ants otherwise. They're kinda creepy... what are they?
2007-08-07 12:21:43 · 4 answers · asked by cheesey 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
They are a version of Velvet Ants, which are not actually ants at all, but wasps.
The females are wingless and drink nectar.
The desert areas of the U.S. have the most varieties of them, up to 100. In Missouri, we only have the Cow Killer, who lives in woodland areas along stream beds.
Do not disturb this wasp because it gives a very painful sting.
2007-08-07 21:22:53 · answer #1 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are velvet ants. That is the one common name. They are wingless wasps. Do not touch them! In Arizona they call them cow killers. They can not kill a cow but they hurt badly enough that you will make sure you never touch one a second time!
By the way their stinger is incredibly long and can go through the side of a tennis shoe to get the foot inside!
2007-08-07 21:42:13 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff Sadler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Velvet ants:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/159/bgpage
2007-08-07 19:30:23 · answer #3 · answered by Strix 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or maybe it can be these?
http://bugguide.net/node/view/55091
2007-08-07 20:05:54 · answer #4 · answered by tanya_t_byrd 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋