Common Footman Moth vs Slave-Maker Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Footman Moth | Slave-Maker Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eilema lurideola | Temnothorax americanus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 31-38 mm wingspan | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Footman Moth
A narrow-winged grey moth with a distinctive yellow-orange leading edge on the forewing. It rests with wings wrapped tightly around its body like a rolled leaf.
Did You Know?
Its common name refers to the way it wraps its wings like a footman standing at attention.
Slave-Maker Ant
A tiny North American slave-making ant that raids colonies of closely related Temnothorax species. Workers have saber-like mandibles used in raids. Enslaved workers eventually perform all domestic tasks while raiders focus solely on conducting new raids.
Did You Know?
Enslaved Temnothorax workers sometimes rebel by destroying the slave-maker brood they are supposed to rear, reducing the raiding colony's future workforce.