Erratic Ant vs Tiny Dark Sweat Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Erratic Ant Tiny Dark Sweat Bee
Scientific Name Tapinoma erraticum Lasioglossum villosulum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Halictidae
Size 2-4 mm 5-6 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Erratic Ant

A small dark ant common in southern Europe that runs in characteristic erratic zigzag patterns. It nests in dry, warm habitats under stones and in rock crevices.

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Did You Know?

Workers can raise their abdomens to spray defensive chemicals while simultaneously running at full speed.

Tiny Dark Sweat Bee

A tiny, inconspicuous furrow bee widespread across the Palearctic region. Despite its small size, it is an important pollinator of crops including onion seed and carrots.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most important wild pollinators of commercial onion seed crops in Europe.