Zela Metalmark vs Bullet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zela Metalmark | Bullet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Emesis zela | Paraponera clavata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Riodinidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 25-30 mm wingspan | 18-30 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Mexico | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Zela Metalmark
A small butterfly with rust-brown wings marked with fine dark lines and subtle metallic scaling. It inhabits mountain canyons in the borderlands of Arizona and Mexico.
Did You Know?
It is one of the target species for butterfly watchers visiting the famous canyons of southeastern Arizona.
Bullet Ant
Named for its extremely painful sting, rated 4+ on the Schmidt Pain Index. Indigenous Satere-Mawe people use them in warrior initiation rites. The pain can last 24 hours.
Did You Know?
The bullet ants sting is the most painful of any insect — described as waves of burning, throbbing, all-consuming pain that lasts up to 24 hours without any relief.