Geranium Bronze vs Tawny Crazy Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Geranium Bronze Tawny Crazy Ant
Scientific Name Cacyreus marshalli Nylanderia fulva
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Lycaenidae Formicidae
Size 18-23 mm wingspan 2-3 mm
Habitat Underground Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Native to South Africa; invasive in Mediterranean Europe South America, Southern United States
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Geranium Bronze

A small dull brown butterfly with a distinctive white fringe and thin tail that has become a major pest of cultivated geraniums in Europe. Its larvae bore into geranium buds and stems.

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Did You Know?

Since its accidental introduction to Majorca in 1990, it has spread across most of southern Europe.

Tawny Crazy Ant

A small reddish-brown ant that forms enormous supercolonies and is displacing fire ants in the southern United States. They are attracted to electrical equipment and often cause short circuits.

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Did You Know?

They coat themselves in formic acid as an antidote after being stung by fire ants, a unique detoxification behavior.