Acacia Ant vs Black-Headed Ash Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Acacia Ant | Black-Headed Ash Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudomyrmex ferruginea | Tethida barda |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Mexico, Central America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Acacia Ant
A slender orange-brown ant that lives inside the swollen thorns of bullhorn acacia trees in a classic mutualistic relationship. It aggressively defends its host tree from all herbivores.
Did You Know?
They attack any plant growing near their host tree, clearing competing vegetation to give the acacia a competitive advantage.
Black-Headed Ash Sawfly
A small sawfly whose larvae have distinctive black heads and whitish-green bodies. They feed on the underside of ash leaflets, skeletonizing them.
Did You Know?
This species is often mistaken for moth caterpillars, but like all sawfly larvae, it has more than five pairs of prolegs on its abdomen.