Odorous House Ant vs African Paper Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Odorous House Ant | African Paper Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tapinoma sessile | Belonogaster juncea |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 2.5-3 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Southern Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Odorous House Ant
A small dark brown ant that emits a distinctive rotten coconut smell when crushed. It is one of the most common household pest ants in North America.
Did You Know?
The smell produced when crushed is caused by methyl ketones, the same compounds found in blue cheese.
African Paper Wasp
A slender reddish-brown social wasp that builds small open paper nests under eaves and branches. It preys on caterpillars to feed its larvae.
Did You Know?
They are considered beneficial by gardeners because a single colony can destroy hundreds of caterpillar pests per week.