Bullet Ant vs Blue Mountains Glowworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bullet Ant | Blue Mountains Glowworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraponera clavata | Arachnocampa richardsae |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Mycetophilidae |
| Size | 18-30 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bullet Ant
Named for its extremely painful sting, rated 4+ on the Schmidt Pain Index. Indigenous Satere-Mawe people use them in warrior initiation rites. The pain can last 24 hours.
Did You Know?
The bullet ants sting is the most painful of any insect — described as waves of burning, throbbing, all-consuming pain that lasts up to 24 hours without any relief.
Blue Mountains Glowworm
An Australian bioluminescent fungus gnat closely related to the New Zealand glowworm. Its larvae hang from cave ceilings and rainforest overhangs, emitting a blue-green glow.
Did You Know?
Different Arachnocampa species emit slightly different colors of light, from blue-green to green-yellow.