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".
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?
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.