Maricopa Harvester Ant vs Cloaked Groundhopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Maricopa Harvester Ant | Cloaked Groundhopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pogonomyrmex maricopa | Tetrix ceperoi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Tetrigidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Western Europe, Mediterranean |
| 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.
Cloaked Groundhopper
A small pygmy grasshopper of bare, damp ground on heathlands and coastal salt pans in western Europe. It is distinguished from related species by its longer wings and preference for saline habitats.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few grasshoppers tolerant of saline conditions, thriving on coastal salt pans where few insects venture.