Australian Stink Ant vs Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Stink Ant | Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Iridomyrmex bicknelli | Bombus variabilis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Apidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Central and Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
Australian Stink Ant
A small, fast-moving ant that releases a strong, unpleasant odour when crushed, giving it its common name. It forms large colonies and is one of the most common ants in Australian suburban environments.
Did You Know?
Iridomyrmex ants dominate Australian ant communities and are among the most ecologically successful ants in the Southern Hemisphere.
Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee
A rare social parasite bumble bee that takes over colonies of other Bombus species in North America. Queens invade host nests, kill the resident queen, and enslave her workers.
Did You Know?
It produces no workers of its own and depends entirely on the labor of its host species to raise its offspring.