Desert Navigator Ant vs African Green Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Navigator Ant African Green Lacewing
Scientific Name Cataglyphis fortis Chrysoperla congrua
Order Hymenoptera Neuroptera
Family Formicidae Chrysopidae
Size 6-10 mm 12-18 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa Sub-Saharan Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Desert Navigator Ant

A heat-tolerant Saharan ant famous for its extraordinary navigation abilities. It uses a built-in pedometer and polarized light compass to find its way home.

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Did You Know?

It counts its own steps to measure distance and can navigate home in a straight line from hundreds of meters away.

African Green Lacewing

A widespread African lacewing found in sub-Saharan savannas and farmland. Plays an important role in natural pest suppression.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most commonly collected lacewing species in light-trap surveys across East Africa.