velvet ant
This is not an ant - actually this is a female wasp, family of mutillidae. Could be long up to 2 cm.
Their common name velvet ant refers to their resemblance to an ant, and their dense pile of hair, which most often is bright scarlet or orange, but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Their bright colors serve as aposematic signals. They are known for their extremely painful stings.
Columbia, South Carolina. USA
velvet ant
This is not an ant - actually this is a female wasp, family of mutillidae. Could be long up to 2 cm.
Their common name velvet ant refers to their resemblance to an ant, and their dense pile of hair, which most often is bright scarlet or orange, but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Their bright colors serve as aposematic signals. They are known for their extremely painful stings.
Columbia, South Carolina. USA