Seaweed Fly vs Tawny Crazy Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Seaweed Fly | Tawny Crazy Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coelopa frigida | Nylanderia fulva |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Coelopidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America | South America, Southern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Seaweed Fly
A coastal fly whose larvae develop in rotting seaweed wrack on beaches. It forms massive swarms on strandlines that can annoy beachgoers.
Did You Know?
It is a model organism for studying sexual selection because larger males win more mating contests.
Tawny Crazy Ant
A small reddish-brown ant that forms enormous supercolonies and is displacing fire ants in the southern United States. They are attracted to electrical equipment and often cause short circuits.
Did You Know?
They coat themselves in formic acid as an antidote after being stung by fire ants, a unique detoxification behavior.