header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 22
1843 - Rancho Castec (Lebec-Tejon area) granted to French immigrant Jose Covarrubias [story]
Rancho Castec diseno map


Let's Go Outside | Commentary by Evelyne Vandersande
| Thursday, Sep 26, 2013

evelynevandersande_mugRed velvet ant: such a lovely name.  Reading this, I’m sure a multitude of bucolic images come to mind. The problem is that each word of the description is erroneous.

Naming an animal is not an exact science. The koala bear is not a bear but a marsupia. Crayfish and jellyfish have one particular thing in common: neither is a fish.

The red velvet ant is not an ant at all, but a wasp.

How do we know that? They have a slight constriction between their thorax and abdomen (perhaps where the term “wasp waist” comes from?) and they have straight antennae. Ants have elbow-shaped antennae.

Red velvet? I would not dare you to stroke them to find out. Even the word “red” is misapplied, as this insect is part of the Mutillidae family, composed of more than 3,000 species – so they are just called velvet ants.

At the Placerita Canyon Nature Center, they can be found in a beautiful array of colors: red, white, gray and orange.

cowant092613In the insect world, bright coloration usually means “danger.” Do not come near. That’s called an aposematic signal. The reason it’s a not good idea to feel them to see how velvety those “ants” are is indicated by their other nickname.

Cow killers.

How did they get that name? Adult velvet ants feed on nectar and water, so they are often found in pastures, gardens and fields where cows typically graze. In this environment, there must have been some cattle being stung at some point, and showing signs of the agonizing pain from the sting, even if it is short-lived reaction.

I found a personal testimony from a scientist, Don Manley, professor emeritus at Clemson University.  He studied these insects for years and was finally stung one day. This is a man who had worked with bees, ants and wasps his whole life and had been stung many times before.  But nothing ever came close to the pain he experienced with the velvet ant sting.

“For 20 minutes, I just wanted to die and get it over with,” he said. “I had worked with them for 20 years before I finally was stung. And I will not be stung by one again.”

velvetant092613Only the female can sting. The stinger is a sex organ called an ovipositor. It is long, like a needle, concealed at the tip of the abdomen, and can be moved easily in all directions. They are not aggressive insects, but if they are threatened, this weapon is very effective.

The sexes look different. The male is much larger and has two pairs of transparent wings, where females do not. Often it is impossible to identify both male and female as belonging to the same species except when they are caught while mating.

The male seeks a mate by looking for one, and pheromones are also believed to play a role. The male is much larger; he grabs the female and carries her in the air while mating, and drops her off when he is finished. One interesting detail: Both sexes squeak during the mating process.

Both sexes have a stidulitum on the metasona, and that helps them produce this squeaky noise when alarmed.  That is another defense mechanism telling you to stay away. It must work well, as this insect does not have any known predators.

They are not seen in large numbers, but it is better to put on shoes and not step on one accidentally. Do not think you can easily swat them away. Their exoskeleton is unusually hard, and entomologists have had problems trying to pierce them with metal pins to be able to put them in displays.

This hard shell protects them during the digging they have to do at nesting time.  The female looks for a bumble bee nest in the ground.  She digs through the soil and breaks through the nest wall to the nesting chamber made of wax cups. There she deposits an egg on the bumble bee larvae which will soon develop as a white legless grub and feed on the larvae.  It will go through a few phases before forming a pupa. At this point, the bumble bee will die.

I love the world of insects. It is full of hair-raising details, and very graphic and horrible pictures come to mind when you read those details. What is especially interesting is that you are rarely able to witness such actions, so learning about them opens a world of wonder and sick fascination. There is so much to learn and discover.

This is an unusual insect, perhaps, but very striking. We seem to see more of them in July, August and September, and there are still plenty of those warm days to come in the next few weeks. Cow killer, donkey killer? Just observe them with respect – and some distance – and nobody will get hurt.

 

Evelyne Vandersande has been a docent at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center for 27 years. She lives in Newhall.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024
The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s one of the most magical times of the year.
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024
Supervisor Kathryn Barger commented on Attorney General Rob Bonta’s announcement that he is pursuing additional monitoring and strengthened protections for youth in Los Angeles County’s juvenile halls.
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024
I think we’re all glad that the extreme heat of the past few months here in southern California has passed, and we are now enjoying some beautiful fall days.
Monday, Nov 11, 2024
This week, I took my Oath of Office for my third and final term as Fifth District Supervisor.
Monday, Nov 11, 2024
As we conclude the 2024 Fall season, I would like to thank all the athletic directors, school administrators, athletic trainers and anyone else responsible for helping implement and navigate our new Health and Safety Bylaws.
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
Did you know that our local Santa Clarita Public Library offers passport acceptance services? Whether you’re planning a vacation, studying abroad or reconnecting with family, the Santa Clarita Public Library is here to support your journey.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The California Air Resources Board has approved a $34.94 million incentives funding plan that will continue support ongoing efforts to increase access to medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks, buses and equipment, with a focus on small businesses.
CARB Incentive Plan Focuses on Fleets for Small Businesses
Preparing to decorate for the holidays? If you come across broken string lights that are no longer usable, instead of tossing in the trash you can now drop them off for recycling at one of the SAFE collection centers
Recycle Broken Holiday Lights at SAFE Collection Centers
The nonprofit Raising the Curtain Foundation will host a fundraising event, "Holidayland" with mid-century pop culture expert Charles Phoenix, on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
Dec. 8: ‘Charles Phoenix Holidayland’ at Newhall Family Theatre
The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26, beginning with a special closed meeting at 5 p.m., followed immediately with open session at 6 p.m.
Nov. 26: City Council Meets to Discuss Contracts, Open Space Naming
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley will present its holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Nov. 23: ACS Relay for Life SCV Holiday Boutique
California State Parks Office of Historic Preservation has announced it will begin accepting applications for the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program at 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2025.
State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program Launch
1843 - Rancho Castec (Lebec-Tejon area) granted to French immigrant Jose Covarrubias [story]
Rancho Castec diseno map
Due to construction and weather delays, the closure of the exercise staircase at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, will be extended through Nov. 28.
Central Park Exercise Staircase Closure Extended Thru Nov. 28
Santa Clarita Ballet's 30th anniversary production of "The Nutcracker" will perform, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Dec. 14-15: Santa Clarita Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Registration is underway for the College of the Canyons winter 2025 session, which boasts more than 300 class sections.
COC Winter 2025 Registration Underway
Christmas came early for The Master's University Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Starr.
TMU Men’s Basketball Knocks Off No. 2, Starr Sees 300th Win
Theatre in a Week and Off Book Theatre is back with its holiday one act comedy "Holiday Hijinx" Friday, Dec. 13- Sunday, Dec. 15 at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall.
Dec. 13-15: ‘Holiday Hijinx’ Presented by Theatre in a Week, Off Book Theatre
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale presents its Silver Bell Jubilee concert Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Dec. 8:  Santa Clarita Master Chorale Presents Silver Bell Jubilee
The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s one of the most magical times of the year.
Mayor Cameron Smyth | Experience Holiday Cheer on the Tracks
Celebrate this special time of year with the 29th annual Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade and holiday event Saturday, Dec. 7 at Castaic Lake, Lower Lagoon.
Dec. 7: The 29th Annual Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade
1967 - Local voters approve formation of community college and elect COC's first five-member board - Dr. William G. Bonelli Jr., Bruce Fortine, Sheila Dyer, Peter Huntsinger, Edward Muhl [story]
COC board
You can make a difference in a child or teen’s life this holiday season through the Boys and Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley. You can volunteer at a club holiday event, host a toy drive, sponsor a club family or make a donation.
Hope for the Holidays with Boys & Girls Club of SCV
Art, in whatever the medium, can communicate so much. It can inspire imagination, exude peace and calm, or tell the world the stories of a community and a culture or connect on an extremely personal level.
Kalli Arte Collective to be CSUN’s First Orndorff Artist-in-Residence
The city of Santa Clarita invites community members to attend the unveiling of the newest inductees to the Walk of Western Stars.
Nov. 23: New Honorees Inducted into Walk of Western Stars
Supervisor Kathryn Barger commented on Attorney General Rob Bonta’s announcement that he is pursuing additional monitoring and strengthened protections for youth in Los Angeles County’s juvenile halls.
Barger on Protections for Youth in Juvenile Halls
Every day for decades, NASA satellites have been collecting data about oceans and continents around the world.
CSUN Students ExamNASA Data on Climate Change
Kick off your holidays with a night to remember with the Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra.
Dec. 8: Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra Presents Holiday Classics
Music possesses power. It brings people together, stirs emotions and has ability to heal in the form of music therapy. 
CSUN Music Therapy Program Produces Successful Music Therapists for 40 Years
SCV Water recently reached several important milestones to bring the Agency one step closer to constructing a permanent water supply for Los Angeles Residential Community and Lily of the Valley Mobile Village.
SCV Water Works on Permanent Water Supply for LARC Ranch, Lily of the Valley
SCVNews.com