Red Flour Beetle vs South American Fire Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Flour Beetle South American Fire Ant
Scientific Name Tribolium castaneum Solenopsis saevissima
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenebrionidae Formicidae
Size 3-4 mm 2-6 mm
Habitat Gardens Rivers & Streams
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Worldwide Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Red Flour Beetle

A small, reddish-brown beetle that is one of the most important stored-grain pests worldwide. It is also a key model organism in genetics.

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Did You Know?

It was the first beetle to have its entire genome sequenced, advancing insect genomics.

South American Fire Ant

An aggressive reddish-brown fire ant native to South America with a painful venomous sting. Colonies form conspicuous mound nests in open areas.

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Did You Know?

During floods, entire colonies link together into living rafts that float for weeks until finding dry ground.