Large Oak Cynipid vs Thistledown Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Oak Cynipid | Thistledown Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cynips quercusfolii | Dasymutilla gloriosa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Cynipidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 2.5–4 mm | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Southwestern United States from California to Texas |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Large Oak Cynipid
A gall wasp that induces cherry-sized galls on the undersides of oak leaves. The galls turn from green to red as they mature in autumn.
Did You Know?
The colorful galls were historically known as 'oak cherries' and were sometimes mistaken for real fruit by children.
Thistledown Velvet Ant
A strikingly beautiful velvet ant covered in long white hair that resembles a piece of thistledown blowing across desert sand. The wingless females are a remarkable mimic of windblown plant material.
Did You Know?
Its white fluffy appearance camouflages it among the creosote seed pods and dried plant debris of its desert habitat.