Odorous House Ant vs Swallow-tailed Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Odorous House Ant | Swallow-tailed Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tapinoma sessile | Ourapteryx sambucaria |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Geometridae |
| Size | 2.5-3 mm | 50-62 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Indoors | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, temperate Asia |
| 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.
Swallow-tailed Moth
A large, pale lemon-yellow moth with pointed tail-like projections on its hindwings. Its graceful shape and colour make it one of the most elegant geometrid moths.
Did You Know?
Despite its butterfly-like tail extensions, it is a true moth and is strongly attracted to light.