Asian Velvet Ant vs Narrow-headed Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Asian Velvet Ant | Narrow-headed Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Smicromyrme rufipes | Formica exsecta |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Omnivores |
| Regions | South Asia, Southeast Asia | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Asian Velvet Ant
A small to medium velvet ant with reddish legs and black body found across southern Asia. It parasitizes various ground-nesting bees and wasps.
Did You Know?
It produces a distinctive squeaking sound when handled by rubbing specialized structures on its abdomen together.
Narrow-headed Ant
A bicolored red and black wood ant with a distinctly notched head. It builds low thatched mounds in open heathland and is declining across much of its European range.
Did You Know?
In the UK it is one of the rarest ant species and is legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.