Odorous House Ant vs Garden Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Odorous House Ant | Garden Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tapinoma sessile | Orthodera ministralis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Formicidae | Mantidae |
| Size | 2.5-3 mm | 35-50 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Gardens |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Australia, Oceania |
| 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.
Garden Mantis
A small to medium-sized bright green praying mantis commonly found in Australian gardens. It has distinctive blue-purple spots on the inner surfaces of its forelegs, displayed when threatened.
Did You Know?
The blue spots on its forearms are thought to startle predators and are unique among Australian mantis species.