Conehead Proturan vs Underground Army Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Conehead Proturan Underground Army Ant
Scientific Name Acerentomon microrhinus Labidus coecus
Order Protura Hymenoptera
Family Acerentomidae Formicidae
Size 0.6-1.0 mm 2-7 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Caves
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Southern United States, Central America, South America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Conehead Proturan

A minute proturan with a characteristically pointed head capsule found in European soils. It lacks antennae, using its forelegs for sensory perception.

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Did You Know?

The pseudoculus, a unique sensory organ on the head, is used to identify proturan species under high magnification.

Underground Army Ant

A mostly subterranean army ant that occasionally surfaces in massive raiding columns across the Americas. Workers are pale yellow, reflecting their underground lifestyle.

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Did You Know?

They are the most frequently encountered army ants in the Americas but are rarely seen because of their subterranean habits.