Japanese Horntail vs South American Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Horntail | South American Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriotremex formosanus | Traumatomutilla indica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Siricidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 20-35 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Asia, Taiwan, introduced to southeastern United States | South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Horntail
A large wood wasp with a robust reddish-brown body and dark wings. Native to East Asia, it attacks stressed and recently felled hardwood trees.
Did You Know?
This species was first detected in North America in 1974 and is one of the few tropical siricid wood wasps to establish invasive populations.
South American Velvet Ant
A large tropical velvet ant with striking black and orange patterns. Despite its species name, it is native to South America and not India.
Did You Know?
Its species name 'indica' was assigned in error and does not reflect its true South American distribution.