European Velvet Ant vs Venezuelan Pebble Toad Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Velvet Ant | Venezuelan Pebble Toad Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mutilla europaea | Pantophthalmus bellardii |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Pantophthalmidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 30-40 mm body length |
| Habitat | Heathland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | South America (Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Peru) |
| 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.
Venezuelan Pebble Toad Fly
One of the largest flies in the world, with robust bodies reaching 40 mm and a wingspan exceeding 70 mm. The larvae develop inside rotting tree trunks. Adults resemble large bumblebees and are strong, buzzing fliers attracted to fermenting sap.
Did You Know?
It is among the largest flies on Earth, with larvae that bore through hardwood so effectively they were once thought to be beetle larvae.