9 replies to this topic

[luvia]

Hi everyone! I'm new at this forum and I've been reading some posts but I couldn't find the ant is killing me.

I'm from Valencia in Spain, and every spring I see some little red ants on my couch and they bite me. The bite is really painful and the bump remains for days itchy and painful. I have no clue what type of ant is and I would be really grateful if you help me to identify it. I also would like to ask how to prevent they bite me or if there is a way get them away from my house. Is it possible they live in my couch or my house? I live in a flat next to the orchards.
I post a picture of both the ant and the bite.
Gracias!

[luvia]

https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/

https://www.flickr.c...teposted-public

https://www.flickr.c...teposted-public

[gcsnelling]

This is a small solitary wasp, a bethylid perhaps, not an ant. Some of these tiny wasps have pretty potent stings.

Edited by gcsnelling, May 19 2022 - 3:21 PM.

[AntsCali098]

This is a small solitary wasp, a bethylid perhaps, not an ant. Some of these tiny wasps have pretty potent stings.

Really? Looks very similar to an ant

[luvia]

It has no wings anf it's really small. I'm still thinking it's a type of ant.

[gcsnelling]

Nope, this type of wasp is often  quite small and often wingless.

[ZTYguy]

No ant that looks like that could leave a mark I am sure it’s a wasp as gcsnelling is saying

Edited by ZTYguy, May 20 2022 - 3:14 PM.

[James C. Trager]

Lacks a distinct petiole and has a nearly square head typical of many bethylid wasps. 
Remember also that ants are direct descendants of wasps, so any wasps that happen to lack wings are quite ant-like in appearance.

[dspdrew]

I wonder if it's possible he is allergic to the venom.

[gcsnelling]

Allergy is not impossible, however as I already noted, the stings of these things can be pretty fierce.