Velvet Ant. Image via Unsplash Despite their nickname, velvet ants are a type of wingless wasp. They possess a sting that can reportedly take down cows, though this is more folklore than fact. Still, ...

If you’ve ever seen an odd-looking ant running across the ground, it might be a panda ant (Euspinolia militaris). This cool-looking insect is black with white spots, like a mini version of a ...

Research has found that the largest species of velvet ant can run at a speed of about 14 centimeters per second. Considering the fact that they are only 1/8-inch to 1-inch long, that’s pretty ...

When threatened, the velvet ant can curl up and become still, resembling debris or detritus, a tactic that deters predators in search of living prey. This act of deception enhances their chances of ...

Clear warning signs. The velvet ant’s body is extraordinarily strong, Iron Man of the insect world. One study showed that it took 11 times more pressure to crush a velvet ant than a honeybee.

Clear warning signs. The velvet ant’s body is extraordinarily strong, the "Iron Man" of the insect world. One study showed that it took 11 times more pressure to crush a velvet ant than a honeybee.

Clear warning signs. The velvet ant’s body is extraordinarily strong, the "Iron Man" of the insect world. One study showed that it took 11 times more pressure to crush a velvet ant than a honeybee.

Aphids Vampirize Ant LarvaeAnd in this tale of two aphids, the sneaky instance of parasitism could be helping the insects survive in the wintertime. The round aphids produce a generation of flat ...

Few creatures can tangle with a velvet ant and walk away unscathed. These ground-dwelling insects are not ants, but parasitic wasps known for their excruciating stings. Now researchers have ...