Pine Chafer vs African Velvet Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pine Chafer African Velvet Ant
Scientific Name Polyphylla fullo Dasylabris maura
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Mutillidae
Size 25-36mm 12-20 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Root Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe North Africa, Southern Europe, Middle East
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Pine Chafer

A large brown chafer beetle with white marbled markings on its elytra. Males have enormous fan-shaped antennae with seven lamellae.

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Did You Know?

When handled it produces a loud hissing sound by rubbing its abdomen against its wing cases which can startle predators.

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.

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Did You Know?

Its contrasting black and white pattern serves as a warning signal to predators about its extremely painful sting.