Re: big black and orange burrowing insects in garden

Posted by Phyllis Teel on July 23, 2001 at 17:29:01:

In Reply to: big black and orange burrowing insects in garden posted by lisa and greg on July 18, 2001 at 20:44:05:

: We have these big dirt piles in our garden that we thought were fire-ant hills (plentiful in N. Georgia where we live) but this evening saw a huge (1-1/4") black and orange roach-like (in appearance) bug burrowing into a good-sized hole (nickel-sized) next to one of the hills. The bug backs out of the hole and shovels dirt underneath itself onto the dirt pile. It appears to have wings but we have not seen it fly, and it has some yellow markings on its back end. The piles have appeared very suddenly (it's mid-July and hot), and we have never seen anything like them despite many years in these parts. What could they be?

Sounds like a Velvet Ant or wingless wasp but that is probably not what is making big piles of dirt. That may be a chipmunk or maybe a mole. Call me at 1-800-226-8370 so I can get more information.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Teel

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