Argentine Ant vs Common Barklouse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Argentine Ant Common Barklouse
Scientific Name Linepithema humile Cerastipsocus venosus
Order Hymenoptera Psocoptera
Family Formicidae Psocidae
Size 2-3 mm 4.0-6.0 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions South America, worldwide (invasive) North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Argentine Ant

Forms massive supercolonies spanning thousands of kilometers. One supercolony stretches 6,000 km along the Mediterranean coast. Displaces native ant species worldwide.

💡

Did You Know?

Argentine ants have formed a global megacolony — ants from Japan, California, and Europe recognize each other as nestmates and will not fight, forming one worldwide supercolony.

Common Barklouse

A large winged barklouse found in herds on tree trunks in eastern North America. It has prominent veined wings and feeds on algae and lichens.

💡

Did You Know?

These barklice form conspicuous herds of up to several hundred individuals that march across tree trunks in unison.