Mutillidae durable, the exoskeleton is also round, making it more difficult for predators to pierce it with attempted stings or bites. During all the trials that led to the fracture of a velvet ant’s exoskeleton, a total of 4 times, resulted in the death of that velvet ant within 24 hours. Thus aside from protection from predators, the exoskeleton provides a function maintaining moisture control. Male mutillids fly in search of females; after mating, the female enters a host insect nest, typically a ground-nesting bee or wasp burrow, and deposits one egg near each larva or pupa. Only a few species
Atair Insect Atair Insect The Atair Insect is a powered paraglider in the mode of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by Atair Aerospace Inc. The company showcased its LEAPP technology in 2006 at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition. The Atair Insect uses a parafoil for its kited wing, an evolution of Domina Jalbert's invention. LEAPP is a trademark for "Long Endurance Autonomous Powered Paraglider". The Atair Insect is a Type II LEAPP UAV within Atair Aerospace's designation scheme. LEAPP (Type I) and LEAPP (Type III) are associated powered paraglider products. When the engine is off, the