Graceful Twig Ant vs Wheat Stem Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Graceful Twig Ant | Wheat Stem Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tetraponera aethiops | Cephus cinctus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Cephidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 8-13 mm (adult) |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Graceful Twig Ant
A slender black African twig ant that nests in hollow stems and branches. Workers are elongate with a narrow waist and deliver a mildly painful sting when disturbed. Colonies are small, typically with fewer than 100 workers per twig nest.
Did You Know?
Their elongated body shape allows them to navigate inside narrow hollow stems that would be inaccessible to bulkier ant species.
Wheat Stem Sawfly
A major pest of wheat and barley on the northern Great Plains of North America. Larvae bore inside stems, weakening them and causing lodging.
Did You Know?
Larvae girdle the stem base before pupating, causing the stem to fall over at harvest.