A team of scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery on a species of Brazilian velvet ant, which is so dark that it reflects less than 1 percent of light. The ants’ unique black and white markings are not just striking, but also ultrablack – absorbing nearly all visible light.
The velvet ant’s appearance is often compared to magic, with its fluffy exterior and intricate arrangement of thin platelets beneath the surface. This unique structure is thought to be key to producing the matte, ultrablack color.
Researchers led by Vinicius Lopez found that the black parts on female velvet ants were actually ultrablack – a shade achieved by microstructures that swallow nearly all light hitting a surface. The discovery makes this particular species of velvet ant the first known insect among Hymenoptera to display such a striking shade.
The scientists’ analysis reveals that the configuration of hair and platelets is key to producing the ultrablack color, with light being absorbed more easily on the complex surface. This effect is not seen in other animals with dark coloring.
While the discovery is fascinating, it raises questions about why only female velvet ants are ultrablack, while males have similar but less effective markings. The researchers plan to investigate environmental pressures that may have led to this unique adaptation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/science/ultrablack-velvet-ant-brazil.html