Red Velvet Ant Research Paper

Large, furry, even scary, are all words that could be used to describe the Red Velvet Ant, but is this “ant” really what it appears to be? The Red Velvet Ant could be considered common around this area, so we could all benefit by learning more about it. Ensuring to the credibility of this paper is that many of us have seen the cow killer whether we realize it or not. The Red Velvet Ant is a seldom seen creature, but once we have begun to look at it you will see what makes this captivating creature unique. Hopefully, by the end of this paper you should be familiar with the behaviour, appearance, and other traits of the Red Velvet Ant. The first, and possibly most bizarre, trait of the Red Velvet Ant is its appearance. However, before we talk about the Ant I must clarify one thing; the Red Velvet Ant is actually a type of wasp, and doesn’t have much in common with an ant except for looks(Velvet Ants-MDC.gov). The Red subspecies of the Velvet Ants is covered in an orange, red, or red-orange color of hair. The wingless females look like large, furry, ants and in size range from 0.73in-0.83in. The Red Velvet Ants are scientifically known as Dasymutilla occidentalis(Red Velvet Ant-Insect ID), which are part of the larger family of wasps known as

Velvet Ants are predators and even if they are attacked and killed few or no other insect would attempt to eat a Velvet Ant, but more on that later(Velvet Ants-DesertUSA). All adult Red Velvet Ants diet consists of mainly nectar, and from sun up to sun down they are active roaming around looking for it or a place to burrow, Velvet Ants also drink water where it can be found. These wasps are also parasites, the female lays her egg in the larvae of other insects, after she has invaded and fought off the other mother, if present. After the ant hatches eats the larvae, pupae or cocoon of the other