Australian Velvet Ant vs Aphidius Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Velvet Ant | Aphidius Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephutomorpha queenslandica | Aphidius colemani |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Braconidae |
| Size | 8-15 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Australia | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian Velvet Ant
An Australian wingless wasp with orange and black velvety coloring. It parasitizes ground-nesting native bees in tropical and subtropical Queensland.
Did You Know?
Australian velvet ants are far less studied than their American counterparts, with many species still awaiting formal description.
Aphidius Wasp
A minute parasitoid wasp widely used in greenhouses to control aphid pests. A single female can parasitize over 300 aphids in her lifetime.
Did You Know?
Parasitized aphids turn into hardened golden-brown shells called 'mummies' from which new wasps emerge.