The Insect Nothing Messes With: Meet the Velvet Ant

Velvet ants, which are actually wasps, have a range of defenses making them unappealing to predators. They possess a long stinger, tough exoskeleton, and use warning signals like bright colors and sounds. Experiments show that most predators avoid them, and even toads struggle to eat them. Their defensive adaptations are linked to their lifestyle, as they lay eggs in other insects' nests, feeding on the host's young.

Describe the reproductive strategy of velvet ants.

Why are velvet ants considered to have extreme investment in defense?