by Panda ants are actually wasps masquerading as an adorable ant, with black and white females possessing stingers half as long as their entire bodies.
Despite the name, panda ants are a type of wasp belonging to the Mutillidae family, whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants.
They have a velvety white coat, with black spots around the eyes and body — similar to pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).
It is aposematic, meaning it warns predators of its powerful, venomous sting, which isn't deadly to humans but can be very painful.
Only females have stingers, which are roughly half the length of their 0.3-inch-long (8 millimeters) bodies, as they are modified egg-laying organs.
Like in all wasps, the stinger is smooth, meaning the insects can sting time and time again.
Source
Despite the name, panda ants are a type of wasp belonging to the Mutillidae family, whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants.
They have a velvety white coat, with black spots around the eyes and body — similar to pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).
It is aposematic, meaning it warns predators of its powerful, venomous sting, which isn't deadly to humans but can be very painful.
Only females have stingers, which are roughly half the length of their 0.3-inch-long (8 millimeters) bodies, as they are modified egg-laying organs.
Like in all wasps, the stinger is smooth, meaning the insects can sting time and time again.
Source
