Euspinolia militaris edit
The Euspinolia militaris(Mutillidae family), also known as The Panda Ant, is surprisingly a wingless female wasp.[1] The females feed off larvae, nectar and other smaller insects that it can take advantage of, while the males, primarily feed off of nectar.
Much like the game of Chess, the female is the king's protector; and in the "velvet ant" community, it could be seen as the same, being that the female is the only one to have a stinger.[2] The Panda Ant are usually found in dry areas of sand or gravel.[3] The useful additions of their exoskeleton and fuzzy hairs, used for absorbing moisture, holding moisture and protection from any potential enemies, are what makes for good survival advantages.[4]
Geographics edit
The Velvet Ant was first recorded as discovered in the coastal region of Central Chile, Central America In 1938. Today the Velvet ant family has made its way into North america and mexico.
Reproduction edit
When these insects are ready to mate, the male will fly to the ground to pick up the female and mate while in flight. The female will lay up to 2000 eggs a year, but only survives around 2 years.[5] These wasp have been said to be close to extinction because so many predators that find them as unhatched eggs.[5]
- ^ "The Panda Ant (Euspinolia militaris) - Amazing Life | Exploring Our Planet's Amazing Biodiversity". Amazing Life | Exploring Our Planet's Amazing Biodiversity. 2016-01-17. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
- ^ "THE PANDA ANT - Euspinolia militaris". www.seedsofeaden.com. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
- ^ "Panda Ant Facts | Ultimate Panda Ant Resource". pandaant.org. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
- ^ "THE PANDA ANT - Euspinolia militaris". www.seedsofeaden.com. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
- ^ a b "Where do Panda Ants live? | Ultimate Panda Ant Resource". pandaant.org. Retrieved 2018-02-04.