Downlooker Fly vs Western Harvester Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Downlooker Fly | Western Harvester Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhagio tringarius | Pogonomyrmex occidentalis |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Rhagionidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 8-12mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Western United States and southwestern Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Downlooker Fly
A slender predatory fly with spotted wings that perches head-downward on vegetation waiting for prey.
Did You Know?
Always rests facing downward on stems and leaves, earning it the name downlooker or snipe fly.
Western Harvester Ant
A large red ant that constructs conspicuous gravel-topped mound nests in western grasslands. It clears all vegetation from a wide circle around its nest entrance.
Did You Know?
Its sting is one of the most painful among North American ants and has been rated highly on the Schmidt pain index.