19+ Red Velvet Ant Stinger Pics. For those who don't know, velvet ants are the common name of several species of wasp. Named red velvet ant for the fine layer of hairs on the body, it is also called cow killer for the venomous punch it packs when it stings.
Researchers reveal how velvet ants protect the stingers remain in tact and are often primed with venom which enters the bloodstream. Red velvet ants have many ways to protect themselves. They are usually brightly colored with black and either red, orange or gold stripes.
Velvet ants are brightly colored.
Velvet ants are not aggressive and will try to escape when encountered, but females have a very painful sting if handled. Velvet ants are not really ants: Velvet ants are not aggressive, but they will sting if held or if stepped on with bare feet. Actually, it is not an ant at all but one of the 475 species of velvet ant parasitic wasps in north america.