East African Sugar Ant vs Alder Cimbicid Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute East African Sugar Ant Alder Cimbicid Sawfly
Scientific Name Camponotus maculatus Cimbex americanus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Cimbicidae
Size 6-14 mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Woodlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia) North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

East African Sugar Ant

A large, polymorphic ant with major workers having disproportionately large heads. Workers vary in color from reddish-brown to black with distinctive spotted patterning.

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Did You Know?

Major workers use their massive heads to block nest entrances like living doors, a behavior called phragmosis.

Alder Cimbicid Sawfly

The largest sawfly in North America, with a robust body up to 25 mm long, clubbed antennae, and smoky brown wings. Body color varies from black to brownish-yellow.

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Did You Know?

The large, green larvae can squirt a fluid from lateral glands when disturbed, similar to their European relative Cimbex femoratus.