Dinosaur Ant vs African Migratory Locust
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dinosaur Ant | African Migratory Locust |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nothomyrmecia macrops | Locusta migratoria migratorioides |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Acrididae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 40-55 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
Dinosaur Ant
Considered the most primitive living ant, often called a living fossil. Discovered in 1931 and then lost for 46 years until rediscovered in 1977 in South Australia.
Did You Know?
This ant was lost to science for 46 years after its discovery — rediscovered by pure luck when an entomologist pulled over to sleep at the roadside where they happened to live.
African Migratory Locust
A widespread African subspecies of the migratory locust that can form devastating swarms. Solitary individuals are green while gregarious ones turn brown and yellow.
Did You Know?
The phase transformation from solitary to swarming is triggered by serotonin released when locusts bump into each other in crowded conditions.