European Velvet Ant vs Neon Cuckoo Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Velvet Ant | Neon Cuckoo Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mutilla europaea | Thyreus nitidulus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Apidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Neon Cuckoo Bee
A stunning blue-spotted cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of blue-banded bees. The cuckoo larva hatches first and consumes the host's pollen provisions.
Did You Know?
Their brilliant blue spots are formed by dense patches of iridescent hairs that mimic the coloring of their host bees.