Introduced Pine Sawfly vs Fierce Big-Headed Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Introduced Pine Sawfly Fierce Big-Headed Ant
Scientific Name Diprion similis Pheidole fervens
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Diprionidae Formicidae
Size 7-10 mm (adult) 1.5-4 mm
Habitat Farmland Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, tropical Australia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Introduced Pine Sawfly

A European sawfly introduced to North America that feeds on white pine and other five-needled pines. Larvae feed gregariously and can heavily defoliate trees.

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Did You Know?

It was first detected in Connecticut in 1914 and quickly spread across northeastern North America.

Fierce Big-Headed Ant

A widespread tropical ant and minor invasive species with clearly dimorphic workers. Majors have disproportionately large heads used in colony defense. Colonies are aggressive and fast-growing, often dominating disturbed tropical habitats.

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Did You Know?

Despite being one of the most species-rich ant genera with over 1,000 species, Pheidole remains one of the least studied.