African Carpenter Bee vs Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Carpenter Bee | Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xylocopa caffra | Dasymutilla occidentalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Africa, East Africa | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Carpenter Bee
A large robust bee with a shiny black body and yellowish thoracic hair in males. It excavates nesting tunnels in dead wood and plant stems.
Did You Know?
Despite their intimidating size and loud buzzing, males are completely harmless as they lack a stinger.
Velvet Ant
Not actually an ant but a wasp. Females are wingless and covered in dense, colorful hair. Known as "cow killers" for their extremely painful sting. Parasitize ground-nesting bees.
Did You Know?
Velvet ants have been called the most indestructible insects — their exoskeleton is so tough that entomological pins bend when trying to pierce them.