Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Summer of Bugs

"Red bug" bites, fire ant bites, the two huge yellow corn spiders, leaf-footed bugs, orange dog caterpillar, Hercules beetle, and now October brings us ...

Red Velvet Ants.

It has definitely been a summer of bugs that are new to me!

 

On my way to the mailbox yesterday, I encountered this zigzagging across the sand.

(By the time I could get my camera she had disappeared into the grass and this is a photo from a website called DesertUSA. There is lots more info there if you would like to visit.)

 

 

 

She is not really an ant at all but a wingless wasp with such a painful sting that her other name is Cow Killer. And she is big! An inch to one and a half inches ( 2.5 - 4 cm) long!

Even more exciting, the velvet ants come in other bright colors including royal blue, orange, and gray.

I kid you not!

 

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14 comments:

  1. Far Side of FiftyOctober 21, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    Surely different from Minnesota bugs...the Asian Lady Bugs arrived about ten days ago..I am certain you remember them:)

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  2. GailOctober 21, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    These "ants" are beautiful. I have not tested their sting but have always avoided them with bare feet.

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  3. Linda KayOctober 21, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    I've seen these skittering around, and they are very fast!

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  4. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"October 21, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    Impressive insect, interesting insect. But you can keep 'em!

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  5. Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise October 21, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    How clever that they come in different colours (disguises). Their bite/sting sounds nasty!

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  6. GosiaOctober 21, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    masterpiece of nature

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  7. Mac n' JanetOctober 21, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    Scary, yes, but oh so pretty.

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  8. BarbOctober 21, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    I think these were the wasps we encountered in the Grand Canyon while camping along the CO River. A lady in our group stepped on one in her bare feet and her whole leg swelled to 3x its size. Pretty but dangerous!

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  9. RedOctober 21, 2015 at 3:53 PM

    Okay, I understand your title"summer of Bugs." You've had a number of nasties.

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  10. Margaret DOctober 21, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Good heavens, that is large for an ant/wasp..yet pretty to look at in the photo.
    Shall wander to link and read shortly..

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  11. Denny144October 21, 2015 at 5:48 PM

    Yikes! I grew up in the south and am thankful I never came across one of these things.

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  12. biebkriebelsOctober 22, 2015 at 2:03 AM

    They look very colourful but rather big, strange colours however.

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  13. MariaOctober 22, 2015 at 2:12 AM

    And people I know in the US think Australia has a lot of creepy crawlies! lol

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  14. HuggybearOctober 23, 2015 at 12:37 AM

    Bare feet would be a "no no" when this wingless wasp is on the prowl.
    You may keep that creature over your side of the Pacific. We have ample
    varieties of "bitties" here already.
    Cheers
    Colin

    ReplyDelete

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