South American Velvet Ant vs Painted Mining Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Velvet Ant | Painted Mining Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Traumatomutilla indica | Andrena fucata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Andrenidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Painted Mining Bee
A handsome spring bee with a red-brown thorax and banded abdomen. It is common in woodland clearings and gardens across Europe.
Did You Know?
It is a favourite host of the cuckoo bee Nomada flava, which lays eggs in its nest burrows.