Banded Velvet Ant vs Calleta Silk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banded Velvet Ant | Calleta Silk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla occidentalis africana | Eupackardia calleta |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 85-110 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern Africa, East Africa | Southwestern United States, Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Calleta Silk Moth
A dark brown silk moth with striking white crescent markings and a broad white postmedial band on each wing. It is native to the Sonoran Desert and surrounding regions.
Did You Know?
Native peoples historically harvested its cocoons to make rattles and small containers.