European Velvet Ant vs Brown Chafer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Velvet Ant | Brown Chafer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mutilla europaea | Serica brunnea |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
European Velvet Ant
A robust wingless wasp with black and orange-red banding and dense velvety hair. Females enter bumblebee nests to lay eggs on their pupae.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few insects that specifically targets bumblebee nests, sneaking in while the colony is less active.
Brown Chafer
A small chestnut-brown beetle with a velvety sheen to its elytra. It is nocturnal and attracted to lights on warm summer nights.
Did You Know?
Its velvety appearance is caused by tiny, densely packed hairs covering the entire body surface.