Garden Bumblebee vs Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Garden Bumblebee | Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus hortorum | Dasymutilla occidentalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 12-22mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Garden Bumblebee
A long-tongued bumblebee with three yellow bands and a white tail. Specializes in deep tubular flowers.
Did You Know?
Has the longest tongue of any common bumblebee species, allowing it to access nectar in deep tubular flowers.
Velvet Ant
Not actually an ant but a wasp. Females are wingless and covered in dense, colorful hair. Known as "cow killers" for their extremely painful sting. Parasitize ground-nesting bees.
Did You Know?
Velvet ants have been called the most indestructible insects — their exoskeleton is so tough that entomological pins bend when trying to pierce them.