Platter Ant vs Lythrum Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Platter Ant | Lythrum Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cataulacus intrudens | Melitta nigricans |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 3-6 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Wetlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | West and Central Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
Lythrum Bee
A specialist bee that collects pollen from purple loosestrife along rivers and wetland margins. It is a ground-nesting species found in damp habitats.
Did You Know?
It times its emergence precisely to the flowering of purple loosestrife in July, and in years of drought it may fail to reproduce entirely.