Palo Verde Root Borer Cicada vs South American Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Palo Verde Root Borer Cicada | South American Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Okanagana hesperia | Traumatomutilla indica |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Palo Verde Root Borer Cicada
A medium-sized dark cicada found in sagebrush steppe and desert grasslands. Males call from low shrubs during the heat of summer afternoons.
Did You Know?
Its nymphs may spend up to five years underground feeding on root fluids before emerging as adults.
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.