Black and Gold Velvet Ant vs South American Wattle Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black and Gold Velvet Ant | South American Wattle Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla nigripes | Arge pullata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Argidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Central North America | Southern Africa |
| 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 Wattle Sawfly
A shiny black argid sawfly that feeds on wattle (Acacia) trees. Larvae are green with dark dorsal markings and can cause significant defoliation.
Did You Know?
This species is one of the relatively few argid sawflies found in Africa, where the family is less diverse than in other continents.