Odorous House Ant vs Imperial Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Odorous House Ant | Imperial Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tapinoma sessile | Eacles imperialis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 2.5-3 mm | 80-135 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, South America |
| 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.
Imperial Moth
A large moth with bright yellow wings variably marked with purple-brown spots and patches. It is one of the most recognizable saturniids in the Americas.
Did You Know?
The imperial moth has declined dramatically in the northeastern United States, likely due to parasitic flies introduced for gypsy moth control.