What kind of bug/ant is this ?

[yuandrew]

Found this bug on my bed and captured it with a drinking glass and a CD jewel case. It looked somewhat like an ant but with reddish-orange hair.

 

[Sigman]

Possibly a variety of red velvet ant (actually a wingless female wasp with a pretty nasty sting)?

 

[gollum]

Noooo its a dreaded adult chip weevil ...here >>>Flashlight Parasites

:huh::huh: :sick2::sick2:

flee the house and take all your flashlights and post them to me ...
where I'll treat them for you :naughty:

 

[Dr Jekell]

Actually I believe that it is the Ti wasp.

The Ti wasp is a flightless insect until breeding season. It then flies around looking for titanium to lay its eggs on.

When the eggs hatch in approx 14 days the young pupa devour the Titanium before moulting & the cycle begins again.

So beware as they tend to swarm & if you find one them you will most probably have a huge infestation.

 

[LitFuse]

Possibly a variety of red velvet ant (actually a wingless female wasp with a pretty nasty sting)?

Yes, that sure looks like a velvet ant (AKA cowkiller). And yes, they do have a powerful sting, hence their nickname. They also have a rather poor disposition, and do not enjoy being disturbed. Try shaking the glass a little and see if he (she) makes any noise for you.

I don't know how that thing would get into your bed, but consider yourself lucky for finding it before rolling over on it in the middle of the night!

Peter

 

[ehallspqr]

Agree with the previous post. Definitely a Red Velvet ant which is really a wingless wasp. And yes they sting. I have seen them in the southwest part of the country and known people that have gotten bit by them.

 

[WDR65]

I also agree with the previous two posters and can tell you from experience that it smarts pretty good when you are stung.

 

[kramer5150]

YIKES... thats scary. I am highly allergic to insect venom.

 

[HarryN]

While we are sort of on the topic of insect stings, I have tried a few things to help and wondered about the experience of others:

After bite - (at least I think that is what it is called)
- It is made for mostly mosquito bites and has an ammonia base

Chlorox Bleach (diluted 2:1 with water on a paper towel)
- I used this on a spider bite
- The idea that came to me was that I wanted something that would break down the poison (oxidation) and kill off bacteria
- It seemed to help, but later I questioned if it really helps or just made me think it helps.
- I supposed hydrogen peroxide might behave similarly but it is so dilute I am not sure.

Anyone else with a home insect bite remedy ?

 

[Sgt. LED]

20 year old single malt Irish Scotch. The Macallan is a favorite of mine.

Takes the sting far away.

 

[Robocop]

The others are correct and down south we also call them cow ants and they are a very nasty little creature to run into. I have been stung by one while camping several years back. I rolled over while sleeping and woke up thinking someone had kicked me in the head.

I found the ant (actually a wasp) on my sleeping bag and it had stung me just under my left ear. let me tell you it hurt like crazy and my whole face and neck was swollen. Oddly enough after about 2 hours my whole face was numb with no pain at all...weird but true.

I have been stung by all kinds of things and luckily I am not allergic and usually just wait it out. This was probably the worse sting I can think of from all my encounters. On the other hand if you really see one in person they are actually very beautiful to look at.....just dont touch.

 

[brucec]

Growing up in Florida, I encountered these quite often. Only, I don't remember them being so small. The ones we had must have been about 2cm in length. And they were very tough. Even on asphalt, they could not be squished when wearing flip flops. They would just be pinned down and would continue running as soon as you let your foot off. I remember the only way I could reliably squish them was to grind them with the heel of dress shoes. Of course, I was about 10 at the time, so they might not have been quite a big or tough as I remember... But anyway, yes I concur, that is a baby red velvet ant. PM me if you need any squishing tactics.

 

[TooManyGizmos]

20 year old single malt Irish Scotch. The Macallan is a favorite of mine.

Takes the sting far away.

Why do you let it sit around on the shelf for so long ??

It wouldn't last for 20 years at my house . :drunk::buddies::lolsign:
.

 

[sunspot]

I stepped on one wilst barefoot. It felt like someone rammed a steel rod up to my knee. It took my breath away for a few moments. Once I got into the house, I placed a chunk of ice on ground zero and that eased the pain.

 

[Illum]

Possibly a variety of red velvet ant (actually a wingless female wasp with a pretty nasty sting)?

that was my guess:thumbsup:
here is a much clearer picture of it


Full size [3206x2441]: http://www.clintonnaturecenter.org/velvet-ant-071908.jpg

 

[choaticwhisper]

The others are correct and down south we also call them cow ants and they are a very nasty little creature to run into. I have been stung by one while camping several years back. I rolled over while sleeping and woke up thinking someone had kicked me in the head.

Yeah We always called them Cow Ants, They start screaming if you hold them down with something. found that out while trying to catch one.

 

[Illum]

Yeah We always called them Cow Ants, They start screaming if you hold them down with something. found that out while trying to catch one.

really?! now that would be a neat thing to try, but for those wildlife activists against cruelty out there, no videos will be made of this