Desert Cuckoo Bee vs Thistledown Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Desert Cuckoo Bee | Thistledown Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nomada texana | Dasymutilla gloriosa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Southwestern United States from California to Texas |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Desert Cuckoo Bee
A parasitic wasp-like bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other desert bees. Its larvae consume the host's pollen provisions.
Did You Know?
It lacks pollen-collecting hairs entirely since it never gathers pollen for its own offspring.
Thistledown Velvet Ant
A strikingly beautiful velvet ant covered in long white hair that resembles a piece of thistledown blowing across desert sand. The wingless females are a remarkable mimic of windblown plant material.
Did You Know?
Its white fluffy appearance camouflages it among the creosote seed pods and dried plant debris of its desert habitat.