Lower Attine Ant vs Horntail Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lower Attine Ant | Horntail Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cyphomyrmex rimosus | Urocerus gigas |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Siricidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 25-40 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Forests |
| Diet | Detritivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Southern United States, Central and South America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Lower Attine Ant
A tiny, cryptic fungus-growing ant with a rugose and heavily sculptured dark brown body. Workers cultivate yeast rather than the mycelial fungus of more derived attines. They collect insect frass and dead plant material for their yeast gardens.
Did You Know?
Unlike their famous leafcutter relatives, they grow a yeast-like fungus rather than the mushroom-like fungi cultivated by Atta and Acromyrmex.
Horntail Wasp
A large wood wasp that injects symbiotic fungus into trees along with its eggs.
Did You Know?
The injected fungus softens the wood to make it digestible for the larvae.