Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle vs Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle | Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mordella haldemani | Dasymutilla occidentalis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mordellidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle
A small black tumbling flower beetle found in eastern North America. It is commonly seen on composite flowers in summer meadows.
Did You Know?
Its spine-tipped abdomen acts as a spring-loaded lever that launches the beetle into the air when disturbed.
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.