Arizona's WildLife

The velvet ant, commonly known as the “cow killer,” is a wingless, parasitic wasp found throughout Arizona, with females easily recognized by their bright red or orange velvety body. Despite their vivid appearance, these insects are solitary and non-aggressive, though their sting is extremely painful, giving rise to the nickname “cow killer.” Velvet ants are parasitoids, laying eggs in the nests of ground-dwelling bees and wasps, where their larvae consume the host larvae. While primarily predators and parasitoids, they also play a role in controlling other insect populations and contribute to the diversity of Arizona’s desert and grassland ecosystems.