1999.09.22 What is this fuzzy/hairy ant with a huge stinger I found?

This fake ant is called a velvet ant (aka cow killer). It is not a true ant, but a wasp (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae). Please be careful with its nasty stinger.

For more information, see Wanderers on the Sand--the Velvet Ants. --Ant and Jinei