Small Square-Gilled Mayfly vs Slave-Maker Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Square-Gilled Mayfly | Slave-Maker Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caenis luctuosa | Temnothorax americanus |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Caenidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 3-6 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small Square-Gilled Mayfly
A minute mayfly with distinctive square-shaped gills on its nymphs. Adults swarm in enormous numbers near water at twilight.
Did You Know?
The enlarged second gill plate acts as a protective cover over the remaining delicate gills.
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.