American Slave-Maker Ant vs Western Yellowjacket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Slave-Maker Ant | Western Yellowjacket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polyergus lucidus | Vespula pensylvanica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 11-16 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Western North America from Alaska to Mexico |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
American Slave-Maker Ant
A North American slave-making ant that conducts well-organized raids on Formica colonies. New queens infiltrate host colonies by killing the resident queen.
Did You Know?
During raids, they release propaganda pheromones that cause defending ants to flee or fight each other instead of the raiders.
Western Yellowjacket
The most common yellowjacket in western North America with a distinctive diamond-shaped black mark on its first abdominal segment. It is a frequent uninvited guest at outdoor picnics.
Did You Know?
In Hawaii, where it was accidentally introduced, it has become a serious invasive pest threatening native insects.