Amazonian Giant Ant vs Giant Walkingstick

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Amazonian Giant Ant Giant Walkingstick
Scientific Name Pachycondyla villosa Megaphasma denticrus
Order Hymenoptera Phasmatodea
Family Formicidae Phasmatidae
Size 12-18 mm 75-180 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Central America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Amazonian Giant Ant

A large, hairy black ponerine ant with a powerful sting and strong mandibles. It is a solitary ground forager that hunts a variety of small invertebrates.

💡

Did You Know?

Its sting is considered one of the most painful among Neotropical ants, second only to the bullet ant.

Giant Walkingstick

The longest insect native to North America at up to 180 mm. Completely wingless and nocturnal. Named for small spines under its mesofemur.

💡

Did You Know?

At 7 inches long, this is North Americas largest insect by length — yet it is so well camouflaged as a twig that most people walk right past them without noticing.