Despite its name, the red velvet ant is a wingless female wasp. Its sting ranks among the most painful in nature, and its larvae consume other wasps alive inside their nests. | ART World

This looks like an ant…and the name Red Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) sounds like it would back that up…but it’s actually a wingless wasp. Females like this one are wingless but have a stinger that is also an ovipositor while the males have wings but no stinger. Female red velvet ants aren’t always quiet. When threatened, they squeak by rubbing body parts together — a warning sound meant to say “don’t touch me.” And now you can actually hear the warning! #RedVelvetAnt #NatureSounds #Wild

Male Ants vs. Female Ants: 5 Key Differences

Meet the Red Velvet Ants - The Infinite Spider

The red velvet ant is a wingless female wasp, not an ant, known for its bright red and black coloration and a powerful sting. Also called the "cow killer," its sting is extremely painful but not fatal to humans or cows. These insects are solitary parasites that lay their eggs in the nests of other ground-nesting insects. Identification and characteristics Appearance: Females are wingless, covered in dense, velvety hair, and have a bright red or orange-red color with black patches. Males are wing