Velvet Ant vs Red-legged Jewel Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Velvet Ant | Red-legged Jewel Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasymutilla occidentalis | Castiarina rufipennis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Buprestidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 10-15 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Australia |
| 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.
Red-legged Jewel Beetle
A medium-sized jewel beetle with reddish-brown elytra and metallic green thorax. It visits flowers in eucalypt woodlands across southern Australia.
Did You Know?
The genus Castiarina contains about 500 species, all found only in Australia and New Guinea.