Ant-Nest Hister Beetle vs Gall Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ant-Nest Hister Beetle | Gall Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hetaerius ferrugineus | Andricus quercuscalicis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Histeridae | Cynipidae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ant-Nest Hister Beetle
A tiny, reddish-brown hister beetle that lives exclusively inside ant nests. It is tolerated by its ant hosts and feeds on detritus and small arthropods.
Did You Know?
It produces appeasement chemicals from thoracic glands that prevent ants from attacking it inside the colony.
Gall Wasp
A tiny wasp that induces knopper galls on oak acorns, deforming them completely.
Did You Know?
It has alternating sexual and asexual generations that produce different gall types.