Smelly Carpenter Ant vs Short-tailed Ichneumon

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Smelly Carpenter Ant Short-tailed Ichneumon
Scientific Name Dolichoderus thoracicus Ophion luteus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Ichneumonidae
Size 3-4 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Omnivores Parasitoids
Regions Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Smelly Carpenter Ant

A Southeast Asian dolichoderine ant that tends mealybugs inside shelters built from chewed plant material. It is a significant pest of cacao and coconut plantations.

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Did You Know?

They build elaborate carton tents over mealybug colonies on crop plants, protecting their honeydew source from rain and predators.

Short-tailed Ichneumon

A nocturnal parasitoid wasp with a strongly compressed, amber-orange body. It is commonly attracted to lights at night throughout Europe.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most ichneumons, Ophion luteus is almost entirely nocturnal and frequently enters houses drawn by artificial light.