Executioner Wasp vs Tropical Fire Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Executioner Wasp Tropical Fire Ant
Scientific Name Polistes carnifex Solenopsis geminata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Vespidae Formicidae
Size 25-35 mm 2-6 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Central America, South America Pantropical
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Executioner Wasp

The largest Neotropical paper wasp, with a sting that produces immediate searing pain and potentially causes tissue necrosis. It builds open comb nests.

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Did You Know?

Some entomologists consider its sting more painful than the bullet ant, placing it among the most painful in the insect world.

Tropical Fire Ant

A pantropical fire ant with large-headed major workers specialized for seed milling. It is one of the oldest known invasive ant species, spread globally through colonial trade routes.

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Did You Know?

It was likely transported around the world in soil ballast of Spanish galleons during the 16th century.