African Fig Wasp vs Metallic Ectatomma

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Fig Wasp Metallic Ectatomma
Scientific Name Ceratosolen capensis Ectatomma ruidum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Agaonidae Formicidae
Size 1-3 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Southern Africa, East Africa Mexico, Central America, Northern South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Fig Wasp

A tiny wasp with an obligate mutualistic relationship with African fig trees. Females enter figs through a narrow opening to pollinate and lay eggs.

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Did You Know?

Each fig species has its own specific fig wasp pollinator, making them one of nature's most precise co-evolutionary partnerships.

Metallic Ectatomma

A medium-sized ant with a metallic sheen common in neotropical lowland habitats. It forages individually on the ground and nests in small colonies in the soil.

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Did You Know?

Some workers specialize as thieves, stealing food from nestmates of other Ectatomma ruidum colonies rather than foraging.