Slave-Maker Ant vs Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Slave-Maker Ant | Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Temnothorax americanus | Anagyrus lopezi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Encyrtidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Africa, South America (native) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Slave-Maker Ant
A tiny North American slave-making ant that raids colonies of closely related Temnothorax species. Workers have saber-like mandibles used in raids. Enslaved workers eventually perform all domestic tasks while raiders focus solely on conducting new raids.
Did You Know?
Enslaved Temnothorax workers sometimes rebel by destroying the slave-maker brood they are supposed to rear, reducing the raiding colony's future workforce.
Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid
A tiny encyrtid wasp credited with saving Africa's cassava crop from devastating mealybug infestations. It was introduced from South America in the 1980s as a biological control agent.
Did You Know?
Its release across Africa is considered one of the most successful biological control programs in history, saving millions from famine.