Cow Killer

The Cow Killer:

While walking to the Bird House Hostel, we saw this bright red and black insect on the trail. It disappeared into the forest debris, but you can find her likeness in a box.

Description: The Cow Killer is also called the Red Velvet Ant. These insects are wasps, not ants. Females are wingless and covered with dense hair, superficially resembling ants. The red velvet-ant is the largest velvet-ant species, reaching about 3/4 inch in length. They are black overall with patches of dense orange-red hair on the thorax and abdomen. Males are similar but have wings and can not sting. The common name, "cow killer," is thought to describe the painful sting these insects can inflict to man and animals, although it is doubtful that many cows are actually stung.

Clue:
The Nature Center road is the first right turn after you pass the 'toll booth'. Drive past the road to the Nature Center and take the next immediate right. You will pass the sign for the Shady Hollow Trail and further down the road the sign for the Cove Trail. There is a road to your left just after the Cove Trail sign, and there is parking to the left when you turn. Park and walk back to the Cove Trail sign. From the Cove Trail sign walk down the trail for 68 Jolly Roger steps or 81 Chickadee steps to a rotted stump on your right. To the east is a 'rainbow' tree. Stand with the apex of the rainbow to your back and sight 50°. Walk 13 steps on this heading to two friendly trees. The Cow Killer is hiding at the base of a tree under a rock covered with branches and leaves.
(There are red and black markers in the box, but don't know how long they will last. You'll need red and black to get the Cow Killer to look like the real thing.)
Please hide better than found. We'd love to get e-mail from any finders of the Cow Killer.

Hike Length: 0.1 miles