Honey Pot Ant vs Alfalfa Caterpillar Parasite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Honey Pot Ant | Alfalfa Caterpillar Parasite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myrmecocystus mexicanus | Cotesia medicaginis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Braconidae |
| Size | 5-15 mm (repletes up to 25 mm swollen) | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Honey Pot Ant
Certain workers called repletes serve as living food storage vessels. They hang from the ceiling, gorged with honey and nectar until their abdomens swell to the size of grapes.
Did You Know?
Replete workers become living pantries — they hang motionless from the ceiling, swollen to the size of grapes, and regurgitate stored honey on demand to feed the colony.
Alfalfa Caterpillar Parasite
A small braconid wasp that parasitizes alfalfa butterfly caterpillars in agricultural fields. Larvae spin white cocoons after emerging from the host.
Did You Know?
It can reduce alfalfa caterpillar populations by over 50% in some fields without any pesticide use.