Velvet ants
Scientific name: Mutillidae
Velvet ants
Scientific name: Mutillidae
Photo By epantha 
Description
Members of the family Mutillidae, colloquially known as velvet ants, embody a striking contradiction. Despite their common name, these creatures are not ants at all but rather wasps. The females are wingless and heavily mimic true ants, which offers them protection against predators through both their deceptive appearance and their often vibrant, warning coloration. These insects pack a powerful sting, famously excruciating to humans, earning them the nickname 'cow killers'—an exaggerated moniker as their sting, while painful, is not lethal to large animals. This clever mimicry and fearsome defense mechanism highlight the complex survival strategies evolved in the insect world.
Species of Velvet ants
Scientific Classification
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