Order Hymenoptera, the third-largest order of insects, comprises the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. Over 150,000 species are recognized (Janke 2), with many more remaining to be described. Many factors have led to this order’s success, through the development of wings, their immense range of behavioral adaptation, and namely: their highly complex ways of self-defense, mainly those of the biochemical and morphological nature. From the famous “cow-killer” to the range of stings of the Vespidae, to the venom of harvester ants such as the Pogonomyrmex, the Hymenoptera have developed a multitude of tricks for means of survival and defense, namely with their use of venom and stinging apparatuses.
The “cow-killer” (also known as the mule killer) is a frequent visitor to backyards and parks throughout the southern United States, also sometimes occurring in the Midwest. Nearly an inch long, covered with a soft, luminous red and black fur, the cow killer superficially resembles an oversized ant. The common name for these “cow-killers” and other members of this highly successful family are known as velvet ants, these 8,000+ known species derived from their ant-like appearance. In reality, velvet ants are wingless female wasps. The males are winged and look similar to …show more content…
These wasps sting any potential threats and dangerous opponents—though these attacks are not used abundantly for the sake of conserving energy. Aristotle, near 2,300 years ago, was the first scientist to write about these wasps. He described their stings as stronger than the stings of honey bees, and provided many accurate descriptions about the morphology and behavior of these insects. He noted that drones were stingless and argued whether the queens had stings (which later he concluded they did, but did not find any reason to use them) (Schmidt pg.
The “cow-killer” (also known as the mule killer) is a frequent visitor to backyards and parks throughout the southern United States, also sometimes occurring in the Midwest. Nearly an inch long, covered with a soft, luminous red and black fur, the cow killer superficially resembles an oversized ant. The common name for these “cow-killers” and other members of this highly successful family are known as velvet ants, these 8,000+ known species derived from their ant-like appearance. In reality, velvet ants are wingless female wasps. The males are winged and look similar to …show more content…
These wasps sting any potential threats and dangerous opponents—though these attacks are not used abundantly for the sake of conserving energy. Aristotle, near 2,300 years ago, was the first scientist to write about these wasps. He described their stings as stronger than the stings of honey bees, and provided many accurate descriptions about the morphology and behavior of these insects. He noted that drones were stingless and argued whether the queens had stings (which later he concluded they did, but did not find any reason to use them) (Schmidt pg.