What type of a bug is this?

1. 69

   TheHoleStoryposted 9 years ago

   What type of a bug is this?
   
   It looks like it could be either some kind of a big ant or a poor bee that lost it's wings.
   
   

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2. 45

   Ericdierkerposted 9 years ago

   We call them Red Velvet Ants out here in the Southwest.

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   1. 87

      MizBejabbersposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Do they sting? Are they otherwise harmful? I'm glad holestory asked because I've seen something similar to these on my stone steps leading down to my house. My bugs may the the same ones. I think mine are dark charcoal gray and red. They are pretty.

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   2. 60

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If yours are the eastern velvet ants then it is likely since they are wasps. Because they do not have wings, it can only happen if you step on them or something similar.

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3. 60

   The Examiner-1posted 9 years ago

   I believe it is an ant. I am trying to find out which one.

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   1. 60

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      In the east they are eastern velvet ants. Wasps whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. So it is actually a female wasp without wings.

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4. 83

   Venkatachari Mposted 9 years ago

   Sorry, I am unable to understand which part of the above is a bug. Is it the whole image or the above reddish portion or two small black and red figures at the lower half of image?

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   1. 60

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      On the side of the cement(?), it is the red mark with two black stripes at one end - it has a dark shadow above it on the cement. (I believe that the pinkish color up top is the inside of an upper piece of cement.)

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   2. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, now I can see. It is an ant, but very rarely found here. I think it has wings also and able to fly. I have seen some during my trips to hillocks and outskirts twice or so.

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5. 78

   colorfuloneposted 9 years ago

   From what I can see in the photo, it only has 2 body parts, which would make it some kind of a spider. If it does have 3 body parts, it is an insect of some kind.

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   1. 60

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The female velvet ant is a wasp and has only two parts, go to:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_ant
      click down once and see photo on right, click on photo to enlarge.

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   2. 78

      colorfuloneposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      What an interesting insect that is. I have never come across a Velvet Ant wasp. Thank you for the information The Examiner-1. 
      
      To be an insect it has to have 3 body parts, and it does.
      See: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/mis … utillidae.

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   3. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, The Examiner-1. I am able to know about the velvet ant by clicking your link. Males have wings and females don't have wings and are shorter than males to be carried away by them.

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   4. 60

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You are welcome Venkatachari M. :-) Have a nice week.

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6. 59

   Bubblegum Jonesposted 9 years ago

   From what I've been able to find out it's some type of wingless wasp.

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