Red Velvet Ant vs Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red Velvet Ant | Neotropical Blue Hairstreak |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla magnifica | Pseudolycaena marsyas |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southwestern United States, Mexico | Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale grey with fine dark lines.
Did You Know?
Its false head pattern on the hind wing tips, complete with fake antennae, tricks predators into attacking the wrong end.