Landscape - Velvet Ants

You may come across velvet ants in the landscape. The following is more information on these insects.

Velvet ants are striking insects covered with red and black or orange and black "hairs". Females are wingless; males have two pairs of black wings. The female have very long stingers, the potency of the punch is reflected in the common name "cow killer wasps". Picking one up can provide a memorable experience. These wasps, seen walking determinedly across the lawn, do not have a home, so there is no place to treat. They pose no threat unless handled or stepped on by bare feet.

Velvet ant. Photo by Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org

Information from "Yard Wasps" By Lee Townsend in the current edition of the Kentucky Pest News http://www.uky.edu/Ag/kpn/kpn_09/pn_090728.html