Hawaiian Big-headed Ant vs Blue Cuckoo Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hawaiian Big-headed Ant Blue Cuckoo Wasp
Scientific Name Pheidole megacephala Trichrysis cyanea
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Chrysididae
Size 2-4 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Seed Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Hawaii, Pacific Islands Europe, Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Hawaiian Big-headed Ant

An invasive ant now widespread in Hawaii with a disproportionately large head in the soldier caste. It displaces native insects throughout the islands.

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Did You Know?

It is listed among the world's 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN.

Blue Cuckoo Wasp

A uniformly deep blue metallic cuckoo wasp found across Europe and Asia. It parasitizes various cavity-nesting wasps and bees in dead wood and walls.

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Did You Know?

Its entirely blue coloration without any red or gold makes it one of the most distinctive cuckoo wasps in Europe.