Amazon Sphinx Moth vs Banded Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Amazon Sphinx Moth | Banded Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cocytius antaeus | Dasymutilla occidentalis africana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 130-175 mm wingspan | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Central America, Caribbean, southern United States | Southern Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Amazon Sphinx Moth
One of the largest sphinx moths in the Americas with a long, narrow body and pointed wings. Its tongue can exceed 30 centimeters in length.
Did You Know?
Its extraordinarily long proboscis evolved alongside deep-tubed orchids in a classic example of co-evolution.
Banded Velvet Ant
A wingless wasp covered in dense orange and black velvety hair. Despite the name, it is actually a solitary wasp, not an ant.
Did You Know?
Their sting is so painful it has earned them the nickname 'cow killer' despite being unable to actually kill cattle.