Black Imported Fire Ant vs European Spruce Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Imported Fire Ant | European Spruce Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Solenopsis richteri | Gilpinia hercyniae |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 2-6 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | South America, Southeastern United States | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Black Imported Fire Ant
A dark-colored fire ant native to South America that has established populations in the southeastern United States. They build large earthen mounds in open areas.
Did You Know?
They frequently hybridize with the red imported fire ant in overlapping ranges, producing hybrid populations.
European Spruce Sawfly
A moderately sized sawfly with dark brown to black coloring and pectinate antennae in males. Larvae are green with white lateral stripes and feed on spruce needles.
Did You Know?
After its introduction to North America in the 1920s, it caused massive spruce defoliation until a naturally occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus brought populations under control.