Dark Rover Ant vs Asian Velvet Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark Rover Ant Asian Velvet Ant
Scientific Name Brachymyrmex patagonicus Smicromyrme rufipes
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Mutillidae
Size 1.5-2 mm 8-14 mm
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Omnivores Parasitoids
Regions South America, Southern United States South Asia, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark Rover Ant

A tiny dark brown ant that has rapidly spread across the southern United States as an invasive species. It is attracted to electrical equipment and frequently enters buildings.

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Did You Know?

They are so small that entire colonies can nest inside electrical junction boxes and wall outlets.

Asian Velvet Ant

A small to medium velvet ant with reddish legs and black body found across southern Asia. It parasitizes various ground-nesting bees and wasps.

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Did You Know?

It produces a distinctive squeaking sound when handled by rubbing specialized structures on its abdomen together.