Cigarette Beetle vs Velvet Tree Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cigarette Beetle Velvet Tree Ant
Scientific Name Lasioderma serricorne Liometopum occidentale
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ptinidae Formicidae
Size 2-3 mm 3-6 mm
Habitat Gardens Heathland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Worldwide North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Cigarette Beetle

A tiny, reddish-brown beetle that infests stored tobacco, spices, and dried foods. It is one of the most widespread stored-product pests.

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Did You Know?

It can chew through tin foil and even reportedly survives eating dried chili peppers.

Velvet Tree Ant

A large ant that nests in oak trees and produces a distinctive trail pheromone odor.

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Did You Know?

Columns of these ants march in conspicuous trails up and down tree trunks.