Sertania Metalmark vs Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sertania Metalmark | Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sertania circumdata | Dasymutilla occidentalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Riodinidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sertania Metalmark
Small brown butterfly with orange patches and metallic scaling on the underside. Endemic to the Brazilian cerrado biome.
Did You Know?
Its range is restricted almost entirely to the threatened cerrado savanna biome of Brazil.
Velvet Ant
Not actually an ant but a wasp. Females are wingless and covered in dense, colorful hair. Known as "cow killers" for their extremely painful sting. Parasitize ground-nesting bees.
Did You Know?
Velvet ants have been called the most indestructible insects — their exoskeleton is so tough that entomological pins bend when trying to pierce them.