CLOSED: Bit/stung my 3-year-old

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p_diddle Jefferson City, MO Nov 14, 2008

Can't quite tell if it is an ant or a wasp...I am totally ignorant in this area. 1/4 inch long, red with black tipped abdomen, no wings, head seems smaller than most ants.

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Nov 14, 2008

It might be a "cow killer", a stinging, wingless wasp:

http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg344.html

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p_diddle Jefferson City, MO Nov 14, 2008

Here is a second image with a better shot of the abdomen.

If it is a "cow killer", if there is one in my home, will I be finding more?

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p_diddle Jefferson City, MO Nov 14, 2008

Another thing, I don't see the fuzz that a "cow killer" is supposed to have. Is it so fine as not to be seen with the naked eye?

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kittriana Magnolia, TX(Zone 9a) Nov 14, 2008

Cow Killers are almost impossible to squash, n I don't recollect a pointed tail on cow killers. There r very large red ants, tho I dont know if carpenter ants come in red and black, that are about the size of
maybe 1/2" long

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kittriana Magnolia, TX(Zone 9a) Nov 14, 2008

Cow killers are anti social, carpenter ants are not

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Nov 14, 2008

There are hundreds of species of these wasps...I suppose some are less velvety than others. Here's a pic of one that's similar to yours:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/72667

Generally these are solitary insects, but I don't know if you could expect to see more or not. You could try contacting your county or state extension office, they might be able to help with more info.

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kittriana Magnolia, TX(Zone 9a) Nov 14, 2008

How is the stung area? I hope the child isnt allergic, massive swelling? some of the wasps we have in south Texas are able to lay eggs in the stung area, they r parasitic, n the swelling just increases, n pain, until Dr digs em out n packs antibiotics in the wounds...but those r usually flying types...

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p_diddle Jefferson City, MO Nov 15, 2008

Thanks Clay...you found the critter for me...

Dasymutilla nigripes

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Nov 15, 2008

Maybe, but I doubt it ...there are hundreds of these things! 400+ in N. America alone.

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Enmos Lelystad, Netherlands Nov 16, 2008

Hmm it definitely could be a female 'cow-killer'...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2635254658_459460807a.jpg?v=0

But then it would be slightly atypical I guess.. there are a number of similar looking velvet ants in Missouri.

This message was edited Nov 16, 2008 7:14 AM

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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) Nov 18, 2008

claypa - Looks to me like you hit the nail on the head. The cow killer, a velvet ant (actually a wasp), delivers a whollop of a sting!! Hence the name "cow killer", although it doesn't actually kill cows.

Personally, I've never heard of any wasps laying eggs in a person. I wouldn't be concerned about that....

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