Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant vs Brazilian Meinertellid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant Brazilian Meinertellid
Scientific Name Mystrium oberthueri Machilinus rupestris
Order Hymenoptera Archaeognatha
Family Amblyoponidae Meinertellidae
Size 4-7 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Madagascar Mediterranean Europe
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant

A pale yellow to amber ant with elongated mandibles that can snap shut at extreme speeds. It is closely related to M. camillae and shares the Dracula ant feeding behavior.

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Did You Know?

Like other Dracula ants, workers feed by non-destructively puncturing larval skin and drinking hemolymph, a practice unique among ants.

Brazilian Meinertellid

A bristletail found in rocky habitats in the Mediterranean. It is smaller than most machilids and frequents dry, warm environments.

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Did You Know?

It is adapted to much drier habitats than most other bristletail species.