Slave-Maker Ant vs Coxcomb Prominent Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Slave-Maker Ant Coxcomb Prominent Moth
Scientific Name Temnothorax americanus Ptilodon capucina
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Formicidae Notodontidae
Size 2-3 mm 38-46 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Europe, Asia
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.

Coxcomb Prominent Moth

A variably colored prominent moth ranging from pale brown to deep chestnut. A raised crest of scales on the forewing trailing edge forms the distinctive coxcomb.

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Did You Know?

Its color varies so much that dark and pale forms look like completely different species.