Dark Soldier Beetle vs Thatching Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark Soldier Beetle | Thatching Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cantharis obscura | Formica obscuripes |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Cantharidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 9-13 mm | 4-8 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Meadows |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dark Soldier Beetle
A dark-colored European soldier beetle often found on umbelliferous flowers. Its entirely dark elytra distinguish it from the more colorful soldier beetle species.
Did You Know?
Larvae are velvety black and hunt small invertebrates among leaf litter throughout the winter months.
Thatching Ant
A mound-building ant of western North America that constructs large thatched nests from plant debris. Workers are bicolored red and black with powerful mandibles.
Did You Know?
Their mounds can reach over a meter tall and persist for decades, becoming important microhabitats for other organisms.