# Common Eastern Velvet Ant (*Dasymutilla occidentalis*) The Common Eastern Velvet Ant is a fuzzy, colorful insect that looks like a fluffy ant but is actually a wasp! They are known for their bright colors and can be found in many places. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Cow Killer, Velvet Wasp ![Common Eastern Velvet Ant](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/10513401/medium.jpg) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/10513401) ## Appearance The Common Eastern Velvet Ant is a vibrant, fuzzy insect, often seen in striking red, orange, or gold and black patterns. Females are wingless and resemble large, hairy ants, while males have dark, translucent wings. Its bold colors serve as a clear warning to predators. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Mutillidae - **Genus:** Dasymutilla ## Interesting facts - Female velvet ants are completely wingless, making them look like fuzzy ants. - Their sting is famously ranked as one of the most painful insect stings! - Their tough bodies are so strong, they can be hard to crush! - When disturbed, they can make a unique squeaking sound to scare predators. ## Special abilities - **Sting Defense:** Common Eastern Velvet Ant can deliver a famously painful sting that helps them deter predators effectively. - **Armored Body:** Common Eastern Velvet Ant has an incredibly tough exoskeleton that helps them resist crushing and other attacks. - **Warning Colors:** Common Eastern Velvet Ant has bright warning colors that helps them look dangerous, even to animals that avoid stinging insects. - **Squeaky Alarm:** Common Eastern Velvet Ant can make a distinct squeaking sound by rubbing body parts that helps them warn off potential threats. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 19-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; larvae are tiny bug eaters who live on hosts. - **Age differences:** Larvae are parasites of other insect larvae, but adults feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, ground-nesting bee larvae, ground-nesting wasp larvae - **Foraging Method:** Parasitic ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Larvae grow inside their ground-nesting cocoons. - **Parasitizes:** Eastern Miner Bee (*Colletes inaequalis*) — Larvae grow inside their ground-nesting cocoons. - **Parasitizes:** Great Black Wasp (*Sphex pensylvanicus*) — Larvae grow inside their ground-nesting cocoons. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Look but don't touch! These insects can sting if they feel threatened. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Eastern Velvet Ant? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Common Eastern Velvet Ant? 19-25 mm ### How long does Common Eastern Velvet Ant live? 30-90 days ### What does Common Eastern Velvet Ant eat? Adults sip flower nectar; larvae are tiny bug eaters who live on hosts. ### Where is Common Eastern Velvet Ant usually found? Grasslands ### How does Common Eastern Velvet Ant hunt? Parasitic ### How many legs does Common Eastern Velvet Ant have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Bainbridge Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bainbridge-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-tuscaloosa-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Gorgas-Manly Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gorgas-manly-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Campus [View all places to see Common Eastern Velvet Ant](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-eastern-velvet-ant) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Common Eastern Velvet Ant: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-velvet-ant)