Thistledown Velvet Ant vs Common Mormon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thistledown Velvet Ant | Common Mormon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla gloriosa | Papilio polytes |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 90-100 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southwestern United States from California to Texas | South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thistledown Velvet Ant
A strikingly beautiful velvet ant covered in long white hair that resembles a piece of thistledown blowing across desert sand. The wingless females are a remarkable mimic of windblown plant material.
Did You Know?
Its white fluffy appearance camouflages it among the creosote seed pods and dried plant debris of its desert habitat.
Common Mormon
Males are plain black with a cream band; females occur in multiple forms mimicking different toxic species. A textbook example of female-limited polymorphism.
Did You Know?
A single gene called doublesex controls the switch between its mimetic female forms.