Holly Blue vs African Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Holly Blue | African Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Celastrina argiolus | Dasylabris maura |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 26-34 mm wingspan | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, Asia, North America | North Africa, Southern Europe, Middle East |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Holly Blue
Pale silvery-blue butterfly with small black dots on the underside. Alternates between holly and ivy as host plants between spring and summer broods.
Did You Know?
Population numbers cycle dramatically every few years due to a parasitic wasp that tracks its abundance.
African Velvet Ant
A large black and white velvet ant found across North Africa and the Mediterranean. Females are densely covered in silvery-white hair patches on a black body.
Did You Know?
Its contrasting black and white pattern serves as a warning signal to predators about its extremely painful sting.