African Stink Ant vs Turnip Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Stink Ant Turnip Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Paltothyreus tarsatus Phyllotreta nemorum
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Formicidae Chrysomelidae
Size 15-20 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Indoors Farmland
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Turnip Flea Beetle

A small, shiny black beetle with a broad yellow longitudinal stripe on each elytron. It is a significant pest of turnips, swedes, and oilseed rape in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Spring populations can reach such high densities that entire fields of brassica seedlings can be destroyed within days of germination.