Parasitic Acacia Ant vs Swallow Prominent
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Parasitic Acacia Ant | Swallow Prominent |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudomyrmex nigropilosus | Pheosia tremula |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Notodontidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | Wingspan 44-60mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Central America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Parasitic Acacia Ant
A cheater species that occupies acacia thorns but provides little defensive benefit to the host tree. Unlike mutualist acacia ants, it does not attack herbivores or clear competing vegetation.
Did You Know?
It exploits the mutualism by taking food from the acacia without reciprocating with defense, essentially freeloading.
Swallow Prominent
A pale grey-white moth with a distinctive dark wedge-shaped mark along the inner edge of each forewing. It has a deeply toothed trailing wing edge.
Did You Know?
Its name comes from the deeply notched trailing edge of the hindwings which gives them a swallow-tail like appearance.