Goatweed Leafwing vs Slave-Maker Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Goatweed Leafwing | Slave-Maker Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anaea andria | Temnothorax americanus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 55-75 mm wingspan | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central and Eastern United States, northern Mexico | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Goatweed Leafwing
A bright orange butterfly whose angular wing shape and mottled brown underside create a perfect dead-leaf disguise when at rest. It almost never visits flowers.
Did You Know?
It overwinters as an adult, hiding among dead leaves where its camouflage makes it virtually invisible.
Slave-Maker Ant
A tiny North American slave-making ant that raids colonies of closely related Temnothorax species. Workers have saber-like mandibles used in raids. Enslaved workers eventually perform all domestic tasks while raiders focus solely on conducting new raids.
Did You Know?
Enslaved Temnothorax workers sometimes rebel by destroying the slave-maker brood they are supposed to rear, reducing the raiding colony's future workforce.