Banded Velvet Ant vs Paroster Subterranean Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banded Velvet Ant | Paroster Subterranean Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla occidentalis africana | Paroster macrosturtensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern Africa, East Africa | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Paroster Subterranean Beetle
A blind subterranean diving beetle from groundwater calcretes in the Western Australian arid zone. It is completely depigmented and lacks functional eyes.
Did You Know?
Multiple species of subterranean Paroster have evolved independently in isolated aquifers.