Velvet Ant vs Panda Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Velvet Ant | Panda Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla occidentalis | Euspinolia militaris |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | North America | South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Panda Ant
Not actually an ant but a wingless wasp. Named for its black and white panda-like coloring. Females have an extremely painful sting despite their cute appearance.
Did You Know?
Despite its adorable panda-like markings, this insect delivers one of the most painful stings of any velvet wasp — Chilean locals call it the killer ant.