Matabele Ant vs Steel-blue Woodwasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Matabele Ant Steel-blue Woodwasp
Scientific Name Megaponera analis Sirex cyaneus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Siricidae
Size 10-18 mm 12–28 mm
Habitat Grasslands Mountains
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Matabele Ant

A large black ant that specializes in raiding termite mounds in organized military-style columns. Workers are among the largest ants in Africa.

💡

Did You Know?

Injured ants are carried back to the nest by their comrades and treated, with a 90% survival rate after rescue.

Steel-blue Woodwasp

A metallic blue woodwasp native to Europe that breeds in fir and spruce. It is closely related to the more destructive Sirex noctilio.

💡

Did You Know?

Unlike its relative Sirex noctilio, this species rarely causes significant economic damage to forestry.