Malagasy Rover Ant vs Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Rover Ant Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp
Scientific Name Tetramorium kelleri Conura acuta
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Chalcididae
Size 2-4 mm 5-10 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Seed Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Madagascar South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Malagasy Rover Ant

A small, dark brown ant with rugose sculpture on the head and thorax. It is part of a massive endemic radiation of Tetramorium in Madagascar.

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Did You Know?

Madagascar harbors 113 endemic Tetramorium species, one of the most spectacular ant radiations on any island.

Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp

A metallic-colored parasitoid wasp that attacks the pupae of various Lepidoptera, including Morpho butterflies. The female inserts her ovipositor through the pupal shell to lay eggs inside the developing butterfly. Larvae consume the pupa from within before emerging as adult wasps.

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Did You Know?

A single parasitized Morpho pupa can produce dozens of tiny wasps instead of one large butterfly.