Acacia Ant vs Redheaded Pine Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Acacia Ant | Redheaded Pine Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudomyrmex ferruginea | Neodiprion lecontei |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 6-8 mm (adult) |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Mexico, Central America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Redheaded Pine Sawfly
The most widely distributed pine sawfly in eastern North America. Larvae can completely defoliate young pines, sometimes killing them.
Did You Know?
Larvae rear up in unison and regurgitate resinous fluid when disturbed as a group defense.