Oak Marble Gall Wasp vs Meat Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oak Marble Gall Wasp | Meat Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andricus kollari | Iridomyrmex purpureus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Cynipidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Parks | Grasslands |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Oak Marble Gall Wasp
A tiny wasp that induces marble-shaped galls on oak twigs where its larvae develop. The galls were historically used to make iron gall ink.
Did You Know?
The ink made from its galls was used to write the US Declaration of Independence and Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks.
Meat Ant
A large iridescent blue-black ant that is one of Australia's most dominant and ecologically important ant species. It builds large gravel-covered mound nests in open areas.
Did You Know?
Aboriginal Australians traditionally placed deceased on meat ant nests to allow the ants to clean the bones for burial rituals.