European Xiphydriid vs Green Tree Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Xiphydriid Green Tree Ant
Scientific Name Xiphydria longicollis Oecophylla smaragdina subnitida
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Xiphydriidae Formicidae
Size 12-18 mm 5-10 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Northern Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

European Xiphydriid

A slender wood wasp with a notably elongated pronotum giving it a long-necked appearance. The body is dark with pale lateral spots on the abdomen.

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Did You Know?

The elongated 'neck' that gives xiphydriids their distinctive appearance is actually an elongation of the pronotum, unique among wood wasps.

Green Tree Ant

An Australian subspecies of the Asian weaver ant with distinctive bright green coloring. Indigenous Australians have traditionally eaten them and used their nests for medicinal purposes.

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Did You Know?

They taste like lime or lemongrass due to their high formic acid content and are eaten as bush food in northern Australia.