Slave-Maker Ant vs Willoughby's Leafcutter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Slave-Maker Ant | Willoughby's Leafcutter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Temnothorax americanus | Megachile willughbiella |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe, Central 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.
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.
Willoughby's Leafcutter Bee
A large, furry leafcutter bee common across Europe that nests in a variety of above-ground cavities. It is named after the 17th-century English naturalist Francis Willughby.
Did You Know?
Females have been recorded cutting leaf pieces from over 20 different plant species to construct a single nest.