This distinctive velvet ant is widespread in the eastern and central U.S. It is typically found in fields and along woodland edges.
Exploits the nests of ground-dwelling bumble bees. Female lays an egg in a bumble bee nest, and the larva kills and feeds upon the bumble bee larvae in the bees' brood chamber. Female's sting is extremely painful (i.e., "strong enough to kill a cow").
There are 67 records in the project database.
A female Cow Killer recorded in Harford Co., Maryland (8/17/2017). Sounds were made as the individual crawled along the inside edge of a deep cardboard box. - Dave Webb.
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