Slave-Maker Ant vs Reunion Day Gecko Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Slave-Maker Ant | Reunion Day Gecko Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Temnothorax americanus | Cratopus murinus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Reunion Island |
| 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.
Reunion Day Gecko Beetle
A drab brownish weevil endemic to Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. It is a common herbivore found on both native and cultivated plants.
Did You Know?
It occasionally damages fruit crops on Reunion, where it is locally considered a pest.