Columbia Silk Moth vs Tawny Crazy Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Columbia Silk Moth Tawny Crazy Ant
Scientific Name Hyalophora columbia Nylanderia fulva
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Saturniidae Formicidae
Size 90-130 mm wingspan 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Northern United States and Canada, particularly the Great Lakes region South America, Southern United States
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Columbia Silk Moth

A large reddish-brown silk moth closely related to the cecropia moth but found in northern bog habitats. Its cocoon is spun on larch branches rather than broad-leaved trees.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few silk moths adapted to boreal wetlands, where its larvae specialize on conifer needles instead of hardwood leaves.

Tawny Crazy Ant

A small reddish-brown ant that forms enormous supercolonies and is displacing fire ants in the southern United States. They are attracted to electrical equipment and often cause short circuits.

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Did You Know?

They coat themselves in formic acid as an antidote after being stung by fire ants, a unique detoxification behavior.