Marauder Ant vs African Velvet Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Marauder Ant African Velvet Ant
Scientific Name Carebara diversa Dasylabris maura
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Mutillidae
Size 1-15 mm 12-20 mm
Habitat Forests Beaches & Coastal
Diet Seed Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Asia North Africa, Southern Europe, Middle East
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Marauder Ant

An Asian ant with the greatest size variation of any ant species, with major workers 500 times heavier than minor workers. Raiding columns can be 100 meters long.

💡

Did You Know?

Minor workers ride on the bodies of major workers like passengers, jumping off to attack when prey is encountered.

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.