Argentine Ant vs Large-headed Resin Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Argentine Ant Large-headed Resin Bee
Scientific Name Linepithema humile Heriades truncorum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Megachilidae
Size 2-3 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Woodlands Orchards
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions South America, worldwide (invasive) Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Argentine Ant

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

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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.

Large-headed Resin Bee

A tiny black resin bee with a disproportionately large head that nests in beetle holes and hollow stems. It uses plant resin to construct partitions between brood cells.

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Did You Know?

Its oversized head allows it to perfectly plug the entrance of its narrow nest cavity like a living door.