White-tailed Bumblebee vs Malagasy Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | White-tailed Bumblebee | Malagasy Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus lucorum | Dasymutilla madagascariensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 11-20mm | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
White-tailed Bumblebee
A common bumblebee with two yellow bands and a white tail. Part of a complex of similar-looking species.
Did You Know?
Actually comprises three nearly identical species only reliably separated by DNA analysis or chemical signatures.
Malagasy Velvet Ant
Despite its name, this is actually a wingless female wasp covered in dense, velvety orange and black hair. Males are winged and rarely seen.
Did You Know?
Its sting is legendarily painful, earning velvet ants the nickname 'cow killers' in some regions, though the sting is not actually lethal.