Mexican Twig Ant vs Red Soldier Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mexican Twig Ant | Red Soldier Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudomyrmex pallidus | Rhagonycha fulva |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Cantharidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern United States, Mexico, Central America | Europe |
| 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.
Red Soldier Beetle
A very common soldier beetle in Europe with orange-red elytra tipped in black. It is one of the most familiar beetles on hogweed and other umbellifer flowers.
Did You Know?
In the UK it is commonly known as the bloodsucker beetle, though it is completely harmless to humans.