Neotropical Army Ant Guest vs Large Turkey Louse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Army Ant Guest Large Turkey Louse
Scientific Name Ecitomorpha nevermanni Chelopistes meleagridis
Order Coleoptera Phthiraptera
Family Staphylinidae Philopteridae
Size 4-5 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Central America, Northern South America North America, Europe
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Neotropical Army Ant Guest

A remarkable myrmecophilous rove beetle that lives with Eciton army ants in Central America. Its body closely mimics the shape and size of its ant hosts.

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Did You Know?

It runs in the army ant raiding columns alongside thousands of ants without being detected as an intruder.

Large Turkey Louse

The largest louse found on domestic turkeys, feeding on feather material. It prefers the breast and thigh feathers of its host.

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Did You Know?

Benjamin Franklin studied this louse while advocating for the turkey as America's national bird.