Maricopa Harvester Ant vs Asian Giant Hornet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Maricopa Harvester Ant | Asian Giant Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pogonomyrmex maricopa | Vespa mandarinia |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 45-55 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Forests |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Maricopa Harvester Ant
Produces the most toxic insect venom known — with an LD50 of 0.12 mg/kg in mice. Just 12 stings can deliver a lethal dose to a 2 kg mammal.
Did You Know?
The venom of this ant is 20 times more potent than honey bee venom — it is the most toxic insect venom ever measured, yet the ant is only stung-aggressive when defending its nest.
Asian Giant Hornet
The worlds largest hornet. A single colony can kill an entire hive of 30,000 honey bees in just a few hours. Their venom destroys red blood cells and can cause organ failure.
Did You Know?
Asian giant hornets can decapitate 40 honey bees per minute. Japanese honey bees defend themselves by swarming a hornet and vibrating to raise temperature to 47°C — killing it with heat.