Is it a bee? Is it a moth? Is it a behemoth?
I found a little guy struggling on the cold ground, so I helped the rascal out. It probably needed some sunshine to warm up. Sunshine is like coffee for bugs. To avoid a potential sting, I let it climb onto a plastic bag (the same one I used to pick up dog stuff).
Crazy much?
Although at a glance this looks like a bee, it lacks stripes and has a more moth-like head, antennae and thorax. If only bugs could talk! I'd conduct an exclusive interview.
Soaking up the sun
After letting me take some snaps, this patchwork of a bug was up and running (errr, flying) and we could finally get on with our lives. Every now and then I run into an insect that desperately wants to be another insect. Insect. Ain't no shame in bein' who you are... Why not be content?
Another Faker - Meet the Velvet "Ant"
I met a few velvet ants in the yard a number of years ago. At first, I thought it was some exotic ant that someone let loose. They're really hard to smash - just saying is all. Turns out that this "ant" is actually as wasp!
Nickname: The Cow Killer
The female delivers an extremely painful sting that's rumored to be strong enough to kill cattle. The male is pretty chill and will iron out any conflicts with you over craft beer and buffalo wings. They're both in agreement that nectar is their food of choice.
The female velvet ant lays eggs on or near bumble bee larvae. Velvet ant hatchlings then eat the bumble bee larvae. Don't know about you, but that sounds cold!
Velvet ant: University of Florida
