Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid vs Triplaris Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid Triplaris Ant
Scientific Name Bathyplectes curculionis Pseudomyrmex triplarinus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Formicidae
Size 2-4 mm 4-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Rivers & Streams
Diet Parasitoids Omnivores
Regions Europe, North America South America, Amazon Basin
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid

A small parasitoid wasp that attacks alfalfa weevil larvae in North America. It was introduced from Europe as a classical biological control agent.

💡

Did You Know?

This wasp reduced alfalfa weevil populations by over 75% in some areas after its introduction.

Triplaris Ant

A South American ant that inhabits the hollow stems of Triplaris trees in a mutualistic relationship. Workers swarm out and deliver painful stings when the host tree is disturbed.

💡

Did You Know?

Local people call Triplaris the 'devil tree' because touching it triggers an immediate attack by hundreds of stinging ants.