Cotesia Congregata vs Tropical Fire Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cotesia Congregata Tropical Fire Ant
Scientific Name Cotesia congregata Solenopsis geminata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Braconidae Formicidae
Size 2-3 mm 2-6 mm
Habitat Farmland Grasslands
Diet Parasitoids Seed Feeders
Regions North America Pantropical
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Cotesia Congregata

A gregarious endoparasitoid whose larvae emerge en masse from hornworm caterpillars to spin white cocoons on the host's skin. It is a well-known natural enemy of tobacco and tomato hornworms.

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Did You Know?

Up to 300 larvae can emerge from a single hornworm caterpillar, covering it in tiny white silk cocoons.

Tropical Fire Ant

A pantropical fire ant with large-headed major workers specialized for seed milling. It is one of the oldest known invasive ant species, spread globally through colonial trade routes.

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Did You Know?

It was likely transported around the world in soil ballast of Spanish galleons during the 16th century.