Ceylonese Angel Insect vs European Red Wood Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ceylonese Angel Insect European Red Wood Ant
Scientific Name Zorotypus ceylanicus Formica rufa
Order Zoraptera Hymenoptera
Family Zorotypidae Formicidae
Size 2-3 mm 4-9 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions South Asia, Sri Lanka Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Data Deficient Near Threatened

Ceylonese Angel Insect

A rare tropical zorapteran found in the forests of Sri Lanka. Colonies live beneath bark and in rotting timber in humid environments.

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Did You Know?

This species demonstrates that Zoraptera have a pantropical distribution despite being so rarely encountered.

European Red Wood Ant

A large mound-building ant found across European forests. Workers are reddish-brown with a darker abdomen and aggressively spray formic acid when threatened.

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Did You Know?

A single wood ant colony can consume millions of pest insects per season, making them vital forest protectors.