African Velvet Ant vs Greenland Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Velvet Ant | Greenland Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasylabris maura | Lycaena phlaeas polaris |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 22-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North Africa, Southern Europe, Middle East | Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Scandinavia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Velvet Ant
A large black and white velvet ant found across North Africa and the Mediterranean. Females are densely covered in silvery-white hair patches on a black body.
Did You Know?
Its contrasting black and white pattern serves as a warning signal to predators about its extremely painful sting.
Greenland Copper
The Arctic subspecies of the small copper butterfly, smaller and darker than its temperate counterparts. The forewings are bright copper-orange with dark spots. It is one of few butterflies found in southern Greenland.
Did You Know?
The Greenland population is believed to have survived the last Ice Age in a coastal refugium, making it a true glacial relict.