Metallic Ectatomma vs Turnip Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Metallic Ectatomma Turnip Sawfly
Scientific Name Ectatomma ruidum Athalia rosae
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Tenthredinidae
Size 6-8 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Fruit Feeders Herbivores
Regions Mexico, Central America, Northern South America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Turnip Sawfly

A small orange and black sawfly whose larvae defoliate brassica crops.

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Did You Know?

Larvae sequester glucosinolates from their food plants for chemical defense.