Velvet Ant vs Black Imported Fire Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Velvet Ant | Black Imported Fire Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla occidentalis | Solenopsis richteri |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 2-6 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | North America | South America, Southeastern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Velvet Ant
Not actually an ant but a wasp. Females are wingless and covered in dense, colorful hair. Known as "cow killers" for their extremely painful sting. Parasitize ground-nesting bees.
Did You Know?
Velvet ants have been called the most indestructible insects — their exoskeleton is so tough that entomological pins bend when trying to pierce them.
Black Imported Fire Ant
A dark-colored fire ant native to South America that has established populations in the southeastern United States. They build large earthen mounds in open areas.
Did You Know?
They frequently hybridize with the red imported fire ant in overlapping ranges, producing hybrid populations.