Black-tailed Skimmer vs American Slave-Maker Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black-tailed Skimmer | American Slave-Maker Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthetrum cancellatum | Polyergus lucidus |
| Order | Odonata | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 44-50 mm body length | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Black-tailed Skimmer
A robust dragonfly with a powder-blue abdomen tipped with black in mature males. It basks flat on bare ground and gravel banks beside open water.
Did You Know?
Unlike most dragonflies, it prefers to rest flat on the ground rather than perching on vegetation.
American Slave-Maker Ant
A North American slave-making ant that conducts well-organized raids on Formica colonies. New queens infiltrate host colonies by killing the resident queen.
Did You Know?
During raids, they release propaganda pheromones that cause defending ants to flee or fight each other instead of the raiders.