Desert Navigator Ant vs Spiny Oak Slug Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Navigator Ant Spiny Oak Slug Moth
Scientific Name Cataglyphis fortis Euclea delphinii
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Formicidae Limacodidae
Size 6-10 mm 22-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Orchards
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa Eastern North America
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.

Spiny Oak Slug Moth

A small colorful moth with green, brown, and silver-spotted forewings. Its flattened, jewel-like caterpillar is green with red and yellow markings and bears stinging spines.

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Did You Know?

The ornate caterpillar has been called one of the most beautiful in North America despite its painful sting.