Black and Gold Velvet Ant vs Four-barred Swordtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black and Gold Velvet Ant | Four-barred Swordtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla nigripes | Protographium leosthenes |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 6-7 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Central North America | Australia, Papua New Guinea |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black and Gold Velvet Ant
A medium-sized velvet ant with golden-orange hair on the thorax contrasting with its black legs and abdomen. It is found across the central United States.
Did You Know?
Velvet ants can survive being stung by almost any predator due to their nearly impenetrable exoskeleton.
Four-barred Swordtail
A distinctive swallowtail with translucent wings crossed by four dark bars and a long sword-like tail. It has a rapid, darting flight pattern.
Did You Know?
Its nearly transparent wings make it extremely difficult to spot in dappled rainforest light.