European Velvet Ant vs Common Hawker

Side-by-side species comparison

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.

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It is one of the few insects that specifically targets bumblebee nests, sneaking in while the colony is less active.

A large, dark brown hawker dragonfly with blue and yellow spots. It favors upland and moorland habitats across the Northern Hemisphere.

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It is one of the hardiest dragonflies, flying in cool upland conditions where few other species venture.