Elm Zigzag Sawfly vs Lesser Leaf-Cutter Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Elm Zigzag Sawfly | Lesser Leaf-Cutter Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aproceros leucopoda | Acromyrmex octospinosus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Argidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 2-10 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | East Asia, invasive in Europe | Central America, Caribbean, northern South America, Brazil |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Elm Zigzag Sawfly
A small, pale green sawfly of East Asian origin that has become invasive in Europe. Larvae create distinctive zigzag feeding patterns on elm leaves.
Did You Know?
This species reproduces entirely by parthenogenesis in its invasive range; males have never been found in Europe.
Lesser Leaf-Cutter Ant
A smaller leaf-cutter ant species covered in spiny tubercles on its body. It forms more modest colonies than Atta but is equally dependent on fungal agriculture.
Did You Know?
Workers produce antibiotic compounds from bacteria on their bodies to protect their fungal gardens from parasitic molds.