Dasymutilla occidentalis Dasymutilla occidentalis Dasymutilla occidentalis (red velvet ant or eastern velvet ant), is a species of parasitoid wasp native to the eastern United States. It is commonly mistaken for a member of the true ant family, as the female is wingless. The species ranges from Connecticut to Missouri in the north and Florida to Texas in the south. Other common names include cow ant and cow killer. The eastern velvet ant is the largest of the velvet ant species in the United States, attaining an approximate length of 0.75 in (1.9 cm). Adults display aposematic coloration, consisting of black overall coloring
Black garden ant Black garden ant The black garden ant ("Lasius niger"), also known as the common black ant, is a formicine ant, the type species of the subgenus "Lasius", found all over Europe and in some parts of North America, South America, Australia, Asia and Australasia. The European species was split into two species; "L. niger" is found in open areas, while "L. platythorax" is found in forest habitats. It is monogynous, meaning colonies have a single queen. "Lasius niger" colonies can reach in size up to around 40,000 workers in rare cases but 4,000–7,000 is around average. A "Lasius niger" queen