Red-banded Netelia vs Swollen-thorn Acacia Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-banded Netelia Swollen-thorn Acacia Ant
Scientific Name Netelia testacea Pseudomyrmex peperi
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Formicidae
Size 14-18 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Mexico, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red-banded Netelia

A slender orange-brown ichneumonid wasp active at night in summer. It is an ectoparasitoid of noctuid moth caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

Females glue their egg to the host caterpillar's skin so it cannot be dislodged.

Swollen-thorn Acacia Ant

An obligate acacia-ant mutualist that nests exclusively within the hollow thorns of Vachellia trees. Workers patrol the tree constantly, stinging any animal that contacts it.

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Did You Know?

Acacia trees with these ant colonies grow significantly faster than uncolonized trees due to the ant's protection services.