Slave-Maker Ant vs Cone-Head Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Slave-Maker Ant Cone-Head Katydid
Scientific Name Temnothorax americanus Copiphora rhinoceros
Order Hymenoptera Orthoptera
Family Formicidae Tettigoniidae
Size 2-3 mm 40-60 mm
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

Cone-Head Katydid

A Neotropical katydid with a long horn-like projection from its head. It is an omnivorous species active at night in tropical lowland forests.

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Did You Know?

Its horn is a hardened extension of its fastigium and may be used in combat between rival males.