Found Crazy ant in yard?

Night before last, around dusk I suppose, I walked out in my yard and found a very large bright red, skittle colored, red with specks of black (could have been a very dark brown) on his body. He was in three parts so I am pretty certain he was not a beetle, but I flipped him out of the gate very quickly and did not go anywhere near him after that. He moved so quickly I couldnt get a good look before i tried to smash him, and since i could not kill him I got him on the end of a shovel and threw him. I had/have no idea what this thing was. Background- I have a vegetable garden and flowers, for the first time so I have seen some pretty interesting bugs that I never did before. I looked for a picture of him, and could not find one. If anyone knows what this thing was, could you please share the insight? Thank you so much!

jean ann j2010-08-08T18:26:57Z

Favorite Answer

That sounds like the female velvet ant. Also known as a cow ant. It is really a wasp.

pearlene2010-08-08T16:07:25Z

Probably a velvet ant also known as a cow ant. Large ants, velvety looking, bright red and black.

Lar2010-08-09T07:18:51Z

You didn't state how large is very large to you but bright red makes it sound like a velvet ant... also called "Cow Killer Ant". It is actually a wingless wasp and it does have a powerful sting.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcStnsUoapmQ1V9QjCThutF6xzqV7lyb-C35WSEqY4XU5mOAvqE&t=1&usg=__rPCQW0RFLxluWsCBfx-pDkOgZzg=
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdiWWYVpPHyOJEVzROGYpYQOt-jGSdMdbrd-W8vWaz5Uw1oKc&t=1&usg=__5zLlGcxzoQjjpPCM9Qko4t_plng=
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZRQSlJtHx4OOxYZxn3cRhbFWHX-ohrLXCGlIP71q8a6F5nlI&t=1&usg=__7tupu46wGf9_EoQg8s7twtzo9ok=

?2010-08-08T14:46:15Z

Sounds somewhat like a ladybug