Australian Malaria Mosquito vs Tawny Crazy Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Malaria Mosquito Tawny Crazy Ant
Scientific Name Anopheles farauti Nylanderia fulva
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Culicidae Formicidae
Size 3-5 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Blood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, northern Australia South America, Southern United States
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Australian Malaria Mosquito

A pale-winged Anopheles mosquito that is the dominant malaria vector in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It breeds in brackish water as well as fresh water, giving it access to coastal habitats. It bites both indoors and outdoors, making vector control challenging.

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Did You Know?

Its ability to breed in both salt and fresh water gives it access to coastal habitats where most Anopheles cannot survive.

Tawny Crazy Ant

A small reddish-brown ant that forms enormous supercolonies and is displacing fire ants in the southern United States. They are attracted to electrical equipment and often cause short circuits.

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Did You Know?

They coat themselves in formic acid as an antidote after being stung by fire ants, a unique detoxification behavior.