Amazon Ant vs Hine's Emerald Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Amazon Ant | Hine's Emerald Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polyergus breviceps | Somatochlora hineana |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Formicidae | Corduliidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 5-6 cm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Wetlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile) | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Amazon Ant
A slave-making ant that raids colonies of Formica ants to steal pupae, which then emerge as workers in the Polyergus colony. The sickle-shaped mandibles of Polyergus workers are adapted for combat but useless for foraging or nest maintenance. They depend entirely on their captive workers for food and brood care.
Did You Know?
Without their enslaved workers, an entire colony would starve because their sickle-shaped jaws make them incapable of feeding themselves.
Hine's Emerald Dragonfly
A brilliant green-eyed emerald dragonfly found in calcareous spring-fed wetlands. It is one of the most endangered dragonflies in North America.
Did You Know?
Its larvae take two to four years to develop in the cold, mineral-rich groundwater of fens.