Birch Leaf-Roller Sawfly vs Thistledown Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Birch Leaf-Roller Sawfly | Thistledown Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pamphilius betulae | Dasymutilla gloriosa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pamphiliidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 9-13 mm | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, northern Asia | Southwestern United States from California to Texas |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Birch Leaf-Roller Sawfly
A flat-bodied sawfly with long, thread-like antennae and a broad abdomen. Larvae roll birch leaves into tubes using silk and feed inside these shelters.
Did You Know?
The larva creates an elaborate rolled-leaf shelter that protects it from both predators and weather while it feeds inside.
Thistledown Velvet Ant
A strikingly beautiful velvet ant covered in long white hair that resembles a piece of thistledown blowing across desert sand. The wingless females are a remarkable mimic of windblown plant material.
Did You Know?
Its white fluffy appearance camouflages it among the creosote seed pods and dried plant debris of its desert habitat.