These wasps are one of the darkest organisms in the world. Ultra-black isn’t just a matter of having a lot of melanin. Upon closer examination of the wasp’s exoskeleton, scientists found thin ...

Compared with other ultrablack animals, female velvet ants are darker than the common birdwing butterfly, the only other ...

The cow killer (also known as the red velvet ant) is actually a species of wingless wasp, but they are in the same order as ants (Hymenoptera) so they share similar characteristics. They are ...

As it happens, velvet ants, known colloquially to Brazilians as “sorcerer ants,” are actually a type of wasp, but the females, which are wingless, give the creatures their name. And ...

Velvet ants are sometimes called cow killers due to the excruciating pain a sting can impart, although cows aren't likely to be in any real danger. Stinging is the wasp's last resort, used to shock a ...