Numata Longwing vs Red Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Numata Longwing | Red Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliconius numata | Dasymutilla magnifica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm wingspan | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia) | Southwestern United States, Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Numata Longwing
A remarkable butterfly that exists in over a dozen wing pattern forms, each mimicking a different species of toxic Melinaea butterfly. Despite their different appearances, all forms belong to the same species. Wing pattern variation is controlled by a supergene on a single chromosome.
Did You Know?
Its wing pattern diversity is controlled by a chromosomal inversion that acts as a supergene, one of the best-studied examples of this genetic mechanism.
Red Velvet Ant
A large, brilliantly red-haired velvet ant found in the arid regions of the American Southwest. Females are wingless and run rapidly across open ground.
Did You Know?
Its exoskeleton is so tough that entomological pins often bend when researchers attempt to mount specimens.