Maricopa Harvester Ant vs Red Pumpkin Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Maricopa Harvester Ant | Red Pumpkin Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pogonomyrmex maricopa | Aulacophora foveicollis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | North America | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia |
| 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.
Red Pumpkin Beetle
A uniformly bright orange-red beetle with fine punctures on the pronotum and smooth elytra. It is a highly destructive pest of cucurbits throughout tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa.
Did You Know?
In India, this beetle is one of the top three most damaging pests of cucurbit vegetables, attacking over 80 species of cucurbits.