Dalmatian Spongillafly vs Slave-Making Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dalmatian Spongillafly Slave-Making Ant
Scientific Name Sisyra dalii Formica sanguinea
Order Neuroptera Hymenoptera
Family Sisyridae Formicidae
Size 6-8 mm wingspan 5-9 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Heathland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern Mediterranean, Balkans Europe, Western Asia, Japan
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Dalmatian Spongillafly

A rare spongillafly described from the eastern Mediterranean region. Associated with clean freshwater habitats harboring sponge populations.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the rarest European spongillaflies, known from only a handful of collection sites.

Slave-Making Ant

A facultative slave-making ant that raids colonies of other Formica species to steal pupae. The stolen brood hatches and works for the slave-maker colony. Workers are reddish with darker heads and can also establish independent colonies.

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Did You Know?

Unlike obligate slave-makers, this species can survive without slaves, but raided colonies grow much faster.