Stay Away From This Vicious South Dakota, Iowa, & Minnesota Bug!

Warmer temperatures will be here before ya know it in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota! Summertime in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota also means one other tiny detail...the bugs are back!

Little critters will soon be crawling or flying around the neighborhood. Even though some South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota bugs may look harmless that doesn't mean kids should be playing with them.

Get our free mobile app

The ant in the picture doesn’t appear dangerous. But if you see this red ant in Sioux Falls or anywhere in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota, don't touch it! It may look like an ant, but this bug has the best disguise in the state.

The Velvet Ant (otherwise known as the "Cow Killer Ant") is the ultimate Catfish in South Dakota. It is actually a female wasp without wings. Insect Identification explains that "because of their (Velvet Ants) physical and behavioral similarity to ants, it is easy to mistake a female as harmless and not give it a wide berth." Unlike females, male Velvet Ants can fly.

Velvet Ants are commonly identified by their red and black color. This color combination alone should be a red flag for insect enthusiasts or innocent bystanders. When this female bites, it's harmful. It's very painful, and she uses her bite as a defense against predators and threats, like humans. The male sting from a Velvet Ant is not as sharp.

So where can you find Velvet Ants in South Dakota? You'll most likely encounter this bug when you're visiting the Badlands. There have also been recent reports about these insects in western Iowa and parts of Minnesota. The Velvet Ant can also be found in other semi-dry to dry regions of the United States including other central plain states and the southwest. Some species have been identified in the southeast as well. Velvet Ants can be spotted in Mexico too.

Just to give you an idea of just how nasty this insect is, an individual on YouTube actually recorded himself getting stung by the Velvet Ant. Why? Who knows. But the video certainly provides a teachable moment for kids.

Sometimes kids are curious, and they like to pick up some bugs. I was the same way growing up. We even had a neighborhood kid "Bug Club!" Just be careful!

South Dakota's Weird Exotic Animal Laws Are Amazing

Have an interesting pet or looking to get one? Check this out from South Dakota Exotic Animal Laws before you go trying to adopt one.

You will need a zoo permit to harbor a raccoon dog. That's a real species. It's a small wild dog with a black facial mask and long fur, native to the forests of Asia.

Gallery Credit: Danny V

The Best Truck Stop Food in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

One of the best parts of any road trip is a stop at a truck stop. Whether you call them, travel centers, convenience stores, or just a gas stations; these oases are so interesting and fun.

In the middle of nowhere, you find the island of pavement, pumps, and people; getting gas, some rest, and fuel for themselves, AKA some classic truck stop food.

I'm partial to a Love's Truck Stop. They are usually big and well-managed. And as a connoisseur of gas-station coffee, Love's is one of the best. Plus, they have some delicious hot dogs.

I'm not the only one that enjoys a stop at a truck stop for good eats. The food blog LoveFood.com dug through user reviews to find the best truck stop food in each state.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns