Meat Ant vs Adonis Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Meat Ant | Adonis Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Iridomyrmex purpureus | Lysandra bellargus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 30-36 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Australia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Meat Ant
A large iridescent blue-black ant that is one of Australia's most dominant and ecologically important ant species. It builds large gravel-covered mound nests in open areas.
Did You Know?
Aboriginal Australians traditionally placed deceased on meat ant nests to allow the ants to clean the bones for burial rituals.
Adonis Blue
Males are an intense sky-blue with a chequered fringe; females are brown. Restricted to chalk and limestone grasslands.
Did You Know?
It is considered one of the most brilliantly blue butterflies in Europe.