Lesser Bullet Ant vs Hairy Christmas Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser Bullet Ant Hairy Christmas Beetle
Scientific Name Neoponera villosa Anoplognathus hirsutus
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Formicidae Scarabaeidae
Size 10-14 mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Southern United States, Central America, South America Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lesser Bullet Ant

A large black ponerine ant found from Texas through South America with a powerful sting. It nests in tree hollows and dead wood, foraging arboreally at night.

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Did You Know?

It is sometimes called the 'false bullet ant' because its sting, while very painful, is less severe than that of Paraponera.

Hairy Christmas Beetle

A densely hairy golden-brown Christmas beetle found in southeastern Australia. The fine hairs covering its body distinguish it from other Anoplognathus species.

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Did You Know?

The dense body hair is thought to help regulate temperature during cool summer evenings.