It's no secret that Ontario is home to its fair share of creepy crawlers.
But did you know that our fair province is home to an insect known by the moniker of “cow killer ant” and is rumoured to be strong enough to kill cattle?
In the intricate tapestry of Ontario's insect population, the red velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) emerges as a captivating anomaly. Often mistaken for an ant due to its name, this intriguing creature defies classification, as it is in fact a species of parasitoid wasp. In a remarkable twist, the females of this species are wingless, contributing to the misconceptions surrounding its identity.
Distributed widely across the expanse of North America, the red velvet ant's habitat spans from the northeastern regions to the sunny landscapes of Florida and Texas. Notably, pockets of its presence are found within Ontario's territory, a testament to the species' adaptability.
While its female counterparts lack the power of flight, their stingers house a formidable weapon – a potent venom that delivers an excruciating experience of pain. This venomous sting ranks at three out of four on the renowned Schmidt sting pain index, with four symbolizing the most intense pain.
According to the index, "North American Velvet ants are actually wingless female wasps, and their fearsome stinger (the longest, relative to body size, of any stinging insect in the world) is just one of its many defence mechanisms. Cow-killer venom causes intense agony and its pain is rated at level #3."
Despite their modest size, averaging at a mere 1.9 centimetres in length, red velvet ants boldly exhibit their presence in the wild. Their vibrant, crimson exteriors, cloaked in a dense fur, serve as a striking warning to potential predators, discouraging any notions of an effortless meal.
Their preferred habitats are pastures and the edges of forests. In urban and suburban areas, cow killers are seen crawling through lawn vegetation, digging around in the soil, or perhaps in garages where they have wandered in by accident.
While the red velvet ant finds its native habitat within Ontario's diverse landscape, however, the presence of these enigmatic insects extends even into urban centres like Toronto. Such is the species' reach that recent observations within the r/whatisthisbug subreddit—a community dedicated to insect identification—sought to unravel the mystery of a red velvet ant sighting within the bustling heart of Canada's largest city.
This demon- Toronto Ontario Canada
by u/mintefans in whatisthisbug
While their appearance and their potent sting may evoke unease, these creatures are integral components of the local ecosystem. Just like any other indigenous species, the red velvet ant warrants respect and caution.
It stands as a reminder that their presence contributes to the intricate balance of nature, distinct from the invasive pests that pose threats to Ontario's delicate ecological equilibrium.
