Platter Ant vs Cypress Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Platter Ant | Cypress Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cataulacus intrudens | Monoctenus juniperi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 3-6 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Gardens |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | West and Central Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Platter Ant
An arboreal African ant with a heavily armored, flattened body and sculptured cuticle. Workers have a broad, shield-like head that can be used to block nest entrances. They nest in tree holes and have a slow, deliberate gait.
Did You Know?
Their flattened body and strong tarsal grip allow them to resist removal by predators by clamping flat against bark surfaces.
Cypress Sawfly
A small sawfly with pectinate antennae in males whose green larvae feed on juniper and cypress foliage. Heavy infestations can discolor and thin ornamental junipers.
Did You Know?
This is one of the few diprionid sawflies that feeds on cupressaceous conifers rather than the more typical pine or spruce hosts.