Mexican Twig Ant vs Eye Gnat
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mexican Twig Ant | Eye Gnat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudomyrmex pallidus | Liohippelates pusio |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Chloropidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern United States, Mexico, Central America | Southern United States, Central America, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mexican Twig Ant
A pale yellowish twig-nesting ant found from the southern United States through Central America. Small colonies occupy single dead twigs or hollow stems.
Did You Know?
Entire colonies can fit inside a single pencil-width twig, with the queen, brood, and workers all packed together.
Eye Gnat
A tiny, shiny black fly attracted to eye and wound secretions of humans and animals. It is a suspected mechanical vector of bacterial conjunctivitis and yaws in tropical regions. Its persistent swarming around the face makes it an extremely annoying pest in agricultural areas.
Did You Know?
These flies are so strongly attracted to eye secretions that they will persistently return to a person's face even after being brushed away dozens of times.