Dinosaur Ant vs Pine False Webworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dinosaur Ant | Pine False Webworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nothomyrmecia macrops | Acantholyda erythrocephala |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Pamphiliidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 10-15 mm (adult) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Critically Endangered | Not Evaluated |
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.
Pine False Webworm
An invasive European sawfly that defoliates pines in North America. Unlike typical sawflies, larvae are solitary and spin silk tubes on branches.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed inside silken tubes spun among the needles, unlike the gregarious feeding of most pine sawflies.