Thistledown Velvet Ant vs Davies' Colletes
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thistledown Velvet Ant | Davies' Colletes |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla gloriosa | Colletes daviesanus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Colletidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southwestern United States from California to Texas | Europe, Western 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.
Davies' Colletes
A small solitary bee that lines its nest cells with a cellophane-like secretion. It often nests in mortar joints of old walls.
Did You Know?
Its nest lining is a natural polyester secreted from glands in its abdomen, making cells waterproof.