Black and Gold Velvet Ant vs Tunisian Desert Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black and Gold Velvet Ant | Tunisian Desert Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla nigripes | Eremiaphila berndstiewi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Mutillidae | Eremiaphilidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central North America | Tunisia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Tunisian Desert Mantis
A recently described desert mantis from southern Tunisia. It has an extremely flattened body that helps it hide under stones and in crevices.
Did You Know?
It was only described as a new species in 2012, showing how poorly known desert mantises remain.