Thistledown Velvet Ant vs Malagasy Orchid Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thistledown Velvet Ant | Malagasy Orchid Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla gloriosa | Liotrigona madecassa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Apidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southwestern United States from California to Texas | Madagascar |
| 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.
Malagasy Orchid Bee
A tiny stingless bee that is one of Madagascar's most important pollinators. It has a black body with pale wing membranes and forms colonies in hollow tree trunks.
Did You Know?
Local communities harvest its honey, called 'tantely kely' in Malagasy, which is prized for its distinctive floral flavor and medicinal properties.