Maritime Long-legged Fly vs European Amazon Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Maritime Long-legged Fly European Amazon Ant
Scientific Name Aphrosylus praedator Polyergus rufescens
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Dolichopodidae Formicidae
Size 3-5 mm 6-7 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Meadows
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America, Pacific Coast Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Maritime Long-legged Fly

A specialized marine intertidal fly that hunts on wave-splashed rocks and barnacles. It has a metallic greenish body and uniquely adapted legs for gripping wet rocky surfaces.

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Did You Know?

It can remain submerged by waves for short periods, surviving in an air bubble trapped by its body hairs.

European Amazon Ant

An obligate slave-making ant that raids colonies of Formica ants to steal pupae. The kidnapped workers then perform all domestic duties for the Polyergus colony.

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Did You Know?

Their sickle-shaped mandibles are so specialized for fighting that they cannot feed themselves or care for their own brood.