Pine False Webworm vs Malagasy Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pine False Webworm | Malagasy Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acantholyda erythrocephala | Dasymutilla madagascariensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pamphiliidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm (adult) | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Pine False Webworm
An invasive European sawfly that defoliates pines in North America. Unlike typical sawflies, larvae are solitary and spin silk tubes on branches.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed inside silken tubes spun among the needles, unlike the gregarious feeding of most pine sawflies.
Malagasy Velvet Ant
Despite its name, this is actually a wingless female wasp covered in dense, velvety orange and black hair. Males are winged and rarely seen.
Did You Know?
Its sting is legendarily painful, earning velvet ants the nickname 'cow killers' in some regions, though the sting is not actually lethal.