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
Yellow crazy ant were also more aggressive toward other ant species and explored their environments more. This is believed to show why the ants decline when deprived access to scale insects in the field, and confirm reduced honey dew will greatly reduce the ants ability to form super colonies. While controlling the yellow lac scale insect is expected to control the yellow crazy ant on Christmas Island, on mainland Australia it is thought this would not help. There are at least a dozen honey dew producing insects as well as extrafloral nectar from native acacia trees all of which fuel yellow crazy ants.