Orange and black insect, what was that?

[eschereal]

No pictures, the damn thing was just too fast.

We were on a gravel road in SE Oklahoma when we saw this thing. It was about 2~3cm in length, with an abdomen maybe a cm tall, a shorter thorax, did not get a good look at its head. It seemed to be furry, almost exactly like a wooly bear caterpillar in color and texture, but it ran under the car very rapidly, was under there for 20~30 seconds, then ran back out and into the scrub. I would guess it might have been doing 2 fps.

Anyone have an idea what it might have been?

[Colibri]

Velvet Ant or Cow Killer Ant (actually a wingless wasp).

[beowulff]

Velvet Ant?
(If so, you do NOT want to get stung by one!)
ETA: Missed it by that much!

[eschereal]

Thanks, guys, that was the critter.

[pool]

The funny thing about velvet ants I’ve noticed is that if you poke one they emit this funny audible little squeak.

[Ruken]

I don’t understand this sentence from the link: “The immature stages are external parasites of wasp that nest in the ground like cicada killer wasp.” The larva parasitize other wasp larva?

[beowulff]

@Ruken

I don’t understand this sentence from the link: “The immature stages are external parasites of wasp that nest in the ground like cicada killer wasp.” The larva parasitize other wasp larva?

Yes.

[jayjay]

@Ruken

I don’t understand this sentence from the link: “The immature stages are external parasites of wasp that nest in the ground like cicada killer wasp.” The larva parasitize other wasp larva?

No such thing as Family loyalty in nature…

[jayjay]

@pool

The funny thing about velvet ants I’ve noticed is that if you poke one they emit this funny audible little squeak.

Of course, that COULD just be the poker himself reacting to the searing pain of the venom…

[Colibri]

@Ruken

I don’t understand this sentence from the link: “The immature stages are external parasites of wasp that nest in the ground like cicada killer wasp.” The larva parasitize other wasp larva?

Larvae and pupae. There are a number of parasites that parasitize other parasites, a relationship known as hyperparasitism.

[Ruken]

I bet these wasps also have parasites. It’s parasites all the way down.

[WOOKINPANUB]

Holy crap! That thing doesn’t even look real;it’s like a stuffed toy, all fuzzy and cute. However if I saw one in person I’d scream like a fool.

[MrDibble]

@Ruken

I bet these wasps also have parasites. It’s parasites all the way down.

Ad infinitum, one might say.

[Amateur_Barbarian]

I like how the caption of the photo seems to be “Helping Nebraskans enhance their lives through research-based education.” “Excuse me, Professor Cow Killer…”