Legionary Ant vs Reuterella Barklouse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Legionary Ant Reuterella Barklouse
Scientific Name Neivamyrmex nigrescens Reuterella helvimacula
Order Hymenoptera Psocoptera
Family Formicidae Elipsocidae
Size 2-5 mm 2.0-3.5 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Southwestern United States, Mexico Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Legionary Ant

The most common army ant species in the United States, conducting nocturnal column raids on other ant nests. Workers are small and reddish-brown with reduced eyes.

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Did You Know?

They are rarely seen because they raid almost exclusively at night and spend most of their time underground.

Reuterella Barklouse

A small barklouse with distinctive pale spots on dark wings found on tree bark. It is common in mixed forests throughout Europe.

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Did You Know?

This barklouse is one of the few European psocid species that can be identified in the field by its wing pattern alone.