Brazilian Eucalyptus Sawfly vs Exploding Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brazilian Eucalyptus Sawfly Exploding Ant
Scientific Name Deuteronomus amoenus Colobopsis explodens
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pergidae Formicidae
Size 8-12 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Herbivores Fungus Feeders
Regions South America Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Brazilian Eucalyptus Sawfly

A medium-sized pergid sawfly that attacks eucalyptus plantations in South America. Larvae are gregarious and can cause significant defoliation in commercial plantings.

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Did You Know?

Pergidae is the most diverse sawfly family in the Southern Hemisphere, contrasting with Tenthredinidae which dominates in the north.

Exploding Ant

Minor workers can deliberately rupture their own bodies in an act of self-sacrifice, releasing a toxic sticky yellow secretion that entangles and kills attackers. Described new in 2018.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, these ants literally explode — minor workers contract their abdominal muscles so violently they burst open, spraying toxic glue on attackers in a suicidal defense.