Bald-faced Hornet vs Giant Ponerine Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bald-faced Hornet | Giant Ponerine Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dolichovespula maculata | Pachycondyla crassinoda |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 14-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | North America | West Africa, Central Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bald-faced Hornet
A large black and white social wasp that builds impressive football-sized paper nests in trees and on buildings. Despite its name, it is not a true hornet but a yellowjacket relative.
Did You Know?
Bald-faced hornets can squirt venom from their stinger into the eyes of nest intruders, causing temporary blindness and intense pain.
Giant Ponerine Ant
A very large black predatory ant of African tropical forests with powerful mandibles and a painful sting. Solitary foragers hunt large prey items on the forest floor.
Did You Know?
Workers hunt alone and can subdue prey many times their own size using their potent sting.