Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant vs Thistledown Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant | Thistledown Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mystrium oberthueri | Dasymutilla gloriosa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Amblyoponidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Madagascar | Southwestern United States from California to Texas |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant
A pale yellow to amber ant with elongated mandibles that can snap shut at extreme speeds. It is closely related to M. camillae and shares the Dracula ant feeding behavior.
Did You Know?
Like other Dracula ants, workers feed by non-destructively puncturing larval skin and drinking hemolymph, a practice unique among ants.
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.