Florida Man in Excruciating Pain After Being Stung by ‘Cow Killer’ Ant

The web was horrified after Floridian Eric Breuer shared his expertise of being stung by the infamous “cow killer” velvet ant.

Breuer shared pictures from the incident to the Fb group Unseen Florida after one other person posted pictures of the insect, asking for assist figuring out it.

“It was mid July 2020,” Breuer instructed Newsweek. “I rode my motorbike to the Publix on Route 27 in Davenport, Florida. As I dismounted my bike and took one or two steps I used to be [stung]. It felt like somebody burning me with a cigarette on my internal proper thigh. I instantly slapped my leg and the insect fell out of my pant leg.”

Velvet ants—often known as “cow killer” ants—are a household of bugs that may be discovered all through North America. Regardless of their identify, they’re truly a household of wasps, though the wingless females naked extra resemblance to an ant than the winged, striped yellow jackets we all know.

“I had by no means seen one of these insect earlier than or one prefer it since. The insect itself was about 1/2 to three/4 inches lengthy, vibrant purple and black,” Breuer mentioned.

There are roughly 435 species of velvet ant in North America, with roughly 50 species in Florida alone, in accordance with the College of Florida. These bugs are parasitoids, which means they lay their eggs on the defenseless pupae of different bugs, which act as meals for the wasp’s hatchlings after they emerge.

As a result of they lack wings to fly away from predators, velvet ants have developed a formidable sting, which ranks a formidable three out of 4 on the Schmitt Ache Scale for Stinging Bugs, in accordance with London’s Pure Historical past Museum. Justin Schmidt, the creator of the dimensions, described it as the sensation of “scorching oil from the deep fryer spilling over your hand.”

Due to the severity of their sting, the creature has earned the nickname “cow killer.” Though it’s painful, the stings are usually not very poisonous and there aren’t any documented experiences of cows dying from interactions with these wasps. Fortunately, velvet ants are usually not aggressive and can normally solely sting in protection.

“It took about 10 days for the redness to completely dissipate,” Breuer mentioned. “I felt a sting within the space for a great 4 or 5 days.”

Breuer’s publish has obtained tons of of likes and feedback from different customers.

“Oh my! That appears excruciating!” mentioned one person.

“Holy crap…OUCH!” mentioned one other.