Narrow-headed Ant vs Fierce Big-Headed Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Narrow-headed Ant | Fierce Big-Headed Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Formica exsecta | Pheidole fervens |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 1.5-4 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, tropical Australia |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Narrow-headed Ant
A bicolored red and black wood ant with a distinctly notched head. It builds low thatched mounds in open heathland and is declining across much of its European range.
Did You Know?
In the UK it is one of the rarest ant species and is legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Fierce Big-Headed Ant
A widespread tropical ant and minor invasive species with clearly dimorphic workers. Majors have disproportionately large heads used in colony defense. Colonies are aggressive and fast-growing, often dominating disturbed tropical habitats.
Did You Know?
Despite being one of the most species-rich ant genera with over 1,000 species, Pheidole remains one of the least studied.