Proceratium Ant vs Small Minnow Mayfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Proceratium Ant Small Minnow Mayfly
Scientific Name Proceratium silaceum Callibaetis ferrugineus
Order Hymenoptera Ephemeroptera
Family Formicidae Baetidae
Size 2.5-3.5 mm 7-11 mm
Habitat Woodlands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Eastern North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Proceratium Ant

A small brownish ant with a distinctly rounded abdomen curving forward under its body. It is a specialist predator of spider eggs living in deep leaf litter.

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Did You Know?

Workers carry spider egg sacs back to the nest, where the colony feeds exclusively on this unusual food source.

Small Minnow Mayfly

A mottled brown mayfly common in still waters across North America. Nymphs are excellent swimmers that mimic small minnows.

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Did You Know?

It can produce up to three generations per year in warm climates.