Velvet Ant vs Peach Slug Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Velvet Ant | Peach Slug Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla occidentalis | Caliroa annulipes |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Orchards |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| 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.
Peach Slug Sawfly
A small, shiny black sawfly whose slug-like larvae feed on the upper leaf surface of various fruit trees, including peach, cherry, and hawthorn.
Did You Know?
Unlike the closely related pear slug, this species feeds primarily from the upper leaf surface rather than the lower surface.