Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp vs African Stink Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp | African Stink Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysis viridula | Paltothyreus tarsatus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Formicidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Indoors |
| Diet | Parasites | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp
A metallic green cuckoo wasp with a distinctive red-gold abdomen tipped with four small teeth. It parasitizes the nests of cavity-nesting solitary wasps.
Did You Know?
The number of teeth on the tip of the abdomen is a key feature used to identify different cuckoo wasp species.
African Stink Ant
A very large black ponerine ant that releases a foul-smelling secretion when disturbed. It is one of Africa's most conspicuous ground-dwelling ants with a powerful sting.
Did You Know?
Its defensive odor is so pungent it can be smelled by humans from over a meter away.