willhunsaker 0 Report post Posted March 4, 2009 we call them cow killers too they take forever to kill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rich5665 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2009 two guesses based upon a quick peek at one of my field guides: a red harvester ant, or a fire ant. Like I said, though, just guesses, b/c none of the ants I've seen have that distinct black band around the thin waist area.... Fire Ants are more of a brownish color and to the best of my knowledge have not made their way north yet. My son had a run in with a nest of them a few years ago in Orlando. Nothing like trying to remove hundreds of biting little critters from the leg of a screaming kid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hillbillyredear 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2009 I believe PK is right I found the Velvet Ant here and they look almost identical. http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/01/20/velvet-ant-18/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hillbillyredear 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2009 here's another good link http://bugguide.net/node/view/72789 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BruceC 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2009 As the person who started this thread, saw this bug in person, and took the pictures, there is no doubt in my mind that this bug was a velvet ant. Thanks to all of you for the ID and research. Best, Bruce Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites