Red Harvester Ant vs European Hornet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Harvester Ant European Hornet
Scientific Name Pogonomyrmex barbatus Vespa crabro
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Vespidae
Size 6-10 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Orchards
Diet Herbivores Sap Feeders
Regions North America Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Harvester Ant

A large red ant that builds conspicuous mound nests cleared of vegetation in arid terrain. Workers collect seeds and store them in underground granaries.

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Did You Know?

Its sting is rated among the most painful of any insect, and its venom is the most toxic of any known insect venom by weight.

European Hornet

The largest European wasp, with a brown and yellow striped body and reddish-brown head and thorax. Despite its fearsome appearance, it is relatively docile for a social wasp.

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Did You Know?

European hornets are one of the few wasp species that actively hunt at night, attracted to lights where they capture other insects.