Kentucky Cave Cricket vs South American Leafcutter Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Kentucky Cave Cricket | South American Leafcutter Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ceuthophilus stygius | Atta sexdens |
| Order | Orthoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Rhaphidophoridae | Formicidae |
| Size | 13-25 mm | 2-14 mm (varies by caste) |
| Habitat | Caves | Farmland |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | United States | South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Kentucky Cave Cricket
A large cave cricket found throughout the cave systems of Kentucky and surrounding states. It has extremely long antennae and powerful jumping legs.
Did You Know?
It leaves caves at night to forage and brings nutrients back into the cave ecosystem.
South American Leafcutter Ant
One of the most widespread leafcutter ant species in South America, recognized by the three pairs of spines on its thorax which give it its species name. Colonies can contain up to eight million workers organized into a complex caste system. It is considered one of the most significant agricultural pests in tropical South America.
Did You Know?
Queens can live for over 15 years and produce more than 150 million offspring in their lifetime.