North American Horntail vs Larger Citronella Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North American Horntail | Larger Citronella Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tremex columba | Lasius interjectus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Siricidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 25–50 mm | 4-4.5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Caves |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
North American Horntail
A large horntail wasp found across eastern North America. It attacks dead and dying hardwood trees such as beech, maple, and elm.
Did You Know?
The parasitoid wasp Megarhyssa macrurus uses its extremely long ovipositor to reach horntail larvae deep inside wood.
Larger Citronella Ant
A subterranean yellow ant that emits a strong lemon-like odor when crushed. It lives entirely underground tending root-feeding aphids for honeydew.
Did You Know?
These ants are rarely seen above ground except during mating flights, when winged reproductives emerge in large swarms.