African Stink Ant vs Steel-blue Woodwasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Stink Ant Steel-blue Woodwasp
Scientific Name Paltothyreus tarsatus Sirex cyaneus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Siricidae
Size 15-20 mm 12–28 mm
Habitat Indoors Mountains
Diet Seed Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

African Stink Ant

A very large black ponerine ant that releases a foul-smelling secretion when disturbed. It is one of Africa's most conspicuous ground-dwelling ants with a powerful sting.

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Did You Know?

Its defensive odor is so pungent it can be smelled by humans from over a meter away.

Steel-blue Woodwasp

A metallic blue woodwasp native to Europe that breeds in fir and spruce. It is closely related to the more destructive Sirex noctilio.

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Did You Know?

Unlike its relative Sirex noctilio, this species rarely causes significant economic damage to forestry.