Cone Ant vs Schizonotus Chalcid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cone Ant Schizonotus Chalcid
Scientific Name Dorymyrmex insanus Schizonotus sieboldi
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Chalcididae
Size 2-3 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Woodlands
Diet Seed Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Southern United States, Mexico East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Cone Ant

A fast-moving reddish-brown ant that builds distinctive cone-shaped crater nests in sandy soil. It is a common competitor with fire ants in open habitats of the southern United States.

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Did You Know?

They are one of the few native ant species that can successfully compete with invasive fire ants for territory.

Schizonotus Chalcid

A parasitoid of mason bee larvae found across temperate Asia. It enters the sealed mud nests of Osmia bees to lay its eggs on the developing bee larvae.

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Did You Know?

It times its attack to coincide with the brief window when mason bee cells are sealed but larvae are still vulnerable.