Today while we were outside this thing ran across the driveway. It was bright reddish orange and about an inch long. It looked very velvety and had big black stripes. I thought, "How cool looking!" and yelled for baby girl to get me the bug catcher. As I was trying to corral the thing I also thought, "How freaky looking!"
After trying to get a good picture to show you I looked it up on the internet, googling "big red furry ant". And this is what I found out.
It’s a velvet ant or cow-killer by it’s nickname. Okay, why cow-killer? Apparently it’s from the wasp family, not an ant at all, and has a sting that hurts so badly people say that it could kill a cow. They also sting multiple times. Only the females sting. The males have wings and no stingers.
You know, I’m really, REALLY glad I found all this out AFTER I had my lens stuck in the opening of the bug catcher taking photos. Oh my goodness…that thing’s evil!
Then I carefully shifted her to a glass jar in hopes of a better photo….
Look carefully at her fangs…..you girls know you grow those every month don’t you?? I do!!
Feeling a little buggy!
but always in HIM….
julie
OH MY GOSH!!! That is so freaky looking…and those fangs!!
The kids are watching "Wild" on the Japanese Hornets…They are HUGE!!
I think I am all bugged out ; )
That thing does look a bit vicious! I would like to say that I am not so intimidating once a month, but alas, I must join you in the confession of being a little cranky during those days…lol.
Patty