Metallic Ectatomma vs Old World Bollworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Metallic Ectatomma Old World Bollworm
Scientific Name Ectatomma ruidum Helicoverpa armigera
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Formicidae Noctuidae
Size 6-8 mm 35-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Fruit Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Mexico, Central America, Northern South America Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Metallic Ectatomma

A medium-sized ant with a metallic sheen common in neotropical lowland habitats. It forages individually on the ground and nests in small colonies in the soil.

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Did You Know?

Some workers specialize as thieves, stealing food from nestmates of other Ectatomma ruidum colonies rather than foraging.

Old World Bollworm

One of the most destructive agricultural pests globally, attacking over 200 crop species. Larvae bore into cotton bolls, tomato fruits, and legume pods.

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Did You Know?

It has developed resistance to nearly every class of insecticide used against it, making it one of agriculture's toughest pests.