Velvet ants, despite their common name, are not ants at all but are actually a type of wasp belonging to the family Mutillidae. These striking insects are known for their dense, velvety hair, which often comes in bright, contrasting colors such as red, orange, black, yellow, or white. The female velvet ant, which is wingless and resembles a large, hairy ant, is the one capable of delivering a potent sting. While their appearance might spark curiosity, it is important to understand their defense mechanisms.
Clarifying Poisonous Versus Venomous
The distinction between “poisonous” and “venomous” lies in how toxins are delivered. A poisonous organism releases toxins when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, meaning you are harmed by touching or eating it. Conversely, a venomous creature actively injects toxins into another organism, typically through a bite or a sting. Examples of venomous animals include snakes, spiders, and wasps, as they use fangs or stingers to deliver their toxins. Velvet ants are not poisonous; instead, they are venomous, as the female possesses a specialized stinger to inject venom as a defensive measure.
The Velvet Ant Sting
The sting of a female velvet ant is renowned for its intense pain, leading to nicknames like “cow killer” due to its severity, though it poses no real threat to a cow’s life. This pain is often described as immediate, sharp, and burning, and can last for several minutes to about half an hour. Symptoms typically include localized pain, redness, and swelling at the sting site. While extremely painful, the venom itself is generally not considered highly toxic to humans and is about 25 times less toxic than a honeybee’s venom.
The Schmidt Sting Pain Index, a scale rating the relative pain of insect stings, places some velvet ant species, such as Dasymutilla klugii, at a level 3 out of 4, a very high ranking. This pain is attributed to various compounds in the venom, including histamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Although the sting is rarely medically dangerous for most individuals, severe allergic reactions, like anaphylaxis, are possible in sensitive individuals.
Identifying and Avoiding Velvet Ants
Velvet ants display vibrant color combinations, such as bright red and black, orange and black, or yellow and black, which serve as a warning to predators. The wingless females are typically seen scurrying rapidly across the ground, while the winged males are less frequently noticed. These insects are solitary and do not form colonies or nests like social ants or bees.
Velvet ants prefer habitats with open, dry, and sandy soil, such such as lawns, pastures, meadows, and along forest edges. They are often found in areas where their host species, primarily ground-nesting bees and wasps, build their nests. To avoid a sting, it is advisable to wear closed-toe shoes when walking in grassy or sandy areas. Additionally, exercise caution when gardening or disturbing soil, and always refrain from picking up or handling these insects.
Post-Sting Care
Should a sting occur, immediate first aid involves cleaning the affected area thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection.
Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the sting site for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can manage discomfort.
Antihistamines may help with itching.
Elevating the stung limb can also help minimize swelling.
Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as difficulty breathing, widespread rash or hives, dizziness, or significant swelling of the face, lips, or throat develop.