Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly vs Triplaris Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly | Triplaris Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Profenusa thomsoni | Pseudomyrmex triplarinus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Tenthredinidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, introduced to North America | South America, Amazon Basin |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly
A tiny black sawfly whose larvae create distinctive blotch mines within birch leaves. Mined leaves develop brown, papery patches.
Did You Know?
Heavy infestations can cause over 80 percent of birch leaves to become mined, giving trees a scorched appearance by late summer.
Triplaris Ant
A South American ant that inhabits the hollow stems of Triplaris trees in a mutualistic relationship. Workers swarm out and deliver painful stings when the host tree is disturbed.
Did You Know?
Local people call Triplaris the 'devil tree' because touching it triggers an immediate attack by hundreds of stinging ants.