Yesterday, I took Common Eastern Velvet Ant images in Steve Creek’s yard after seeing one of them on what I believe are Dusty Miller plants in his garden.
These aren’t lifer photos for me; I have photographed this species before. These are the first images I felt were high enough quality to share though.
Female Common Eastern Velvet Ant in summer – Canon R7, f8, 1/500, ISO 1600, +0.7 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 428mm, natural light
Because I was using Steve’s Canon R7 and his 100-500mm lens, I was able to walk up to the female Common Eastern Velvet Ant and take close up photos of her.
Common Eastern Velvet Ants aren’t ants at all; they are parasitoid wasps. The females of this species are wingless. Both genders are extremely quick when they move on the ground and feed on nectar as adults.
Female Common Eastern Velvet Ants have very painful stings. That information is not from personal experience; I have kept my distance from this species because I have extreme reactions to many types of insect bites.
One nickname for this species, exaggerated though it may be, is “cow killer,” which also makes me stay far away from them!
Male Common Eastern Velvet Ant in Arkansas – Canon R7, f8, 1/1600, ISO 1600, +0.3 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
Male Common Eastern Velvet Ants have wings and no stingers. The males detect the pheromones of the females, locate them, and then carry the females with their mandibles to what they deem is a safe place to mate.
I honestly thought I saw the female velvet ant fly to the plant I photographed her on. With my research yesterday, I now believe that what I saw was the male flying with the female to the plant, and that I lost sight of the male. The male I photographed may have been that same male.
Both the male and female Common Eastern Velvet Ants make noises when they feel threatened. I can only describe that sound as a squeaking noise. I remember hearing that noise several times when I would come across velvet ants in Florida when I lived there. That sound fascinated me.
Nature and wildlife is simply amazing!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider photos.
Really interesting pics and narrative! I haven’t heard of the Eastern Velvet Ant either. It is a beautiful little beastie. That it is actually is a wasp, a “cow killer” no less…is proof that beauty is only skin deep. Thanks Mia.
Thanks for letting Steve post your blog url. I think it is great that you both share this wonderful world of nature with us humble folk.
My goodness another type of Ant that i have not heard of. Glad we don’t have those in Wyoming that I know of. Interesting to learn about them and thank you for the information.
How beautiful, I’d love to hear the squeaky noise they make.
Like you I often have nasty reactions to insect bites/stings. I would give these beauties a wide berth – but am very glad to be able to pore over your images.