Tawny Mining Bee vs Malagasy Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tawny Mining Bee | Malagasy Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena fulva | Dasymutilla madagascariensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tawny Mining Bee
A solitary bee covered in dense bright orange-brown fur that gives it a foxy appearance. Females excavate individual nest burrows in lawns and garden paths each spring.
Did You Know?
Each female digs her own nest burrow up to 30 centimeters deep and provisions several underground chambers with pollen balls, each topped with a single egg.
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.