Red Velvet Ant. Just killed one on our porch, where our two inquisitive little dogs hang out.
@TwiHusband are they pests to dogs? If so , good job
@Horrrflmlvr They're wasps. The males have wings, are blandly colored, and are generally harmless. The females, however...brightly colored, wingless, and pack a LONG stinger that is extremely painful. They carry the folk-name "Cow Killer".
Yikes, stripes! Washington's got them. I didn't know about Red Velvet Ants that aren't "ants" but "wasps" until today. But will not be inviting them over
@QueenOfEverything The ladies are hard to miss. Fast moving, bright red, and a bit over 3/4 of an inch long.
@QueenOfEverything It's a shame. They're kinda attractive. I just don't want them around the house or yard.
@TwiHusband
Eeeeek! Those would be worse than my #EARWIG infestation. If the the red velvets show up in my yard… I’ll be calling in a plane to red velvet ant/wasp dust my neighborhood !