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Fouche | all galleries >> Galleries >> Insects and Bugs > Velvet Ant
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08-AUG-2004

Velvet Ant

The dreaded Velvet Ant. This female was just over an inch long and was found
in the yard today. She is actually a member of the wasp family and is known
in these parts as a "Cowkiller" since it's sting is said to be so painful that
it could kill a cow. When agitated, they emit a loud, rapid "chirp".

Canon EOS 10D ,Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX Macro
1/125s f/22.0 at 50.0mm iso100 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Kasey 30-Jul-2008 17:59
I noticed TWO flying around my front porch today...we havent had many cicadas this year around the house. Could an abundance of these velvet ants be to blame?
Chuck Canfield17-Jun-2006 22:27
I found one of these the other day and it wouldn't slow down. Someone said if you held one down with a stick, it would make a buzzing sound and I couldn't even catch it with a stick. Ididn't even think about photographing it.
Charles Lasnier10-Aug-2004 06:24
Amazing! You are an intrepid bug wrangler Steve.
Shane Lam 09-Aug-2004 14:12
Wow frightening!!! Never seen one like that before!!!
Hans VR09-Aug-2004 07:01
Never seen one before!