Black and Gold Velvet Ant vs South American Fire Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black and Gold Velvet Ant | South American Fire Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla nigripes | Solenopsis saevissima |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 2-6 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Central North America | Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| 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.
South American Fire Ant
An aggressive reddish-brown fire ant native to South America with a painful venomous sting. Colonies form conspicuous mound nests in open areas.
Did You Know?
During floods, entire colonies link together into living rafts that float for weeks until finding dry ground.