Velvet ants are classified as omnivores as they feed on insects and nectar from different plant flowers. Velvet ants are harmless to humans but the pain from their sting can be intense and can cause severe allergies. It can lead to death if a person does not receive medical attention shortly.

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Velvet ants are found throughout the globe. There are about 8000 species of velvet ants worldwide. Almost 400 species occur in the North American Southwest. They are mainly found in sunny, open areas like pastures, lawns, gardens, and in the non-shaded areas of forests. They are usually found during the summer months.

The average size of a velvet ant is about ¾ inches in length. Red velvet ants are the largest species of velvet ants. Female velvet ants have stings but males cannot sting. The average lifespan of a velvet ant is less than one year.

Insects

Velvet ants eat different adult insects including beetles, flies, wasps, and bees. Velvet ants can eat consume larvae, pupae, and cocoons of their host. Velvet ants also eat insect larvae. Velvet ants may eat snails, small spiders. Red velvet ants like other velvet ants also feed on insects and their larvae. Velvet ants also feed on small roaches and grasshoppers.

Velvet ants are active and fast ants as they also feed at night hours. They primarily eat flies and beetles and also feed on water and nectar at night.

Nectar of flowers

Velvet ants feed on the nectar of different flowers for survival. Velvet ants mainly eat nectar from flowers like milkweed. Male insects mostly remain on flowers while female insects roam on the ground. Velvet ants also eat pollen from flowers and female velvet ants are also pollinators because they spread pollen from flowers by consuming them. As they consume nectar from flowers but they are not harmful to gardens and plants. Male velvet ants can fly because they have wings and they keep visiting different flowers for nectar.