The wasp resembling an ant, known as the panda ant, features a black and white female with a stinger that is half the length of its body.
Panda ant (Euspinolia militaris) resides in Chile and primarily feeds on nectar and small insects. Despite being called an ant, they are actually a species of wasp belonging to the Mutillidae family, with the wingless females resembling large, hairy ants. They have a velvety white body covered in black spots around their eyes and body, resembling the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), according to Live Science.
Female panda ant. (Photo: Chris Lukhaup).
This unusual coloration is only present in females, as noted by National Geographic. It serves as a warning signal to predators about their extremely potent sting. While not lethal, their venom can be quite painful. Only females possess a stinger measuring about 4 cm, which is a modified ovipositor. Like all wasps, their stingers are smooth, allowing them to sting multiple times.
Panda ants do not form colonies; instead, they live solitary lives in the hot, dry coastal regions of Chile. They seek food such as nectar and insects and tend to inhabit sandy areas to easily hunt and locate the nests of other insects for egg-laying. Mating occurs mid-air, with the winged males lifting the non-flying females. Researchers are unsure of the reason behind this behavior, but it may serve to avoid predators, prevent other males from mating, or stop the female from escaping.
After mating, the female burrows underground to find a suitable place to lay her eggs. These insects do not excavate their own nests but instead lay their eggs in the nests of other insects, such as ground-nesting bees. When the eggs hatch, the larvae will consume the host’s larvae. They then develop inside the nest, transitioning from larvae to pupae and finally to adults. A single female can lay up to 2,000 eggs during her two-year lifespan.
Panda ants possess another unusual skill: they can produce a piercing sound by rubbing body parts such as their legs or antennae to deter enemies or signal for mating. While other wasp species in the Mutillidae family can produce similar sounds, the noise generated by panda ants reaches ultrasonic levels.
