Snapping Amblyopone vs Common Whitetail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snapping Amblyopone Common Whitetail
Scientific Name Stigmatomma oregonense Plathemis lydia
Order Hymenoptera Odonata
Family Formicidae Libellulidae
Size 3-5 mm 60-68 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Western North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Snapping Amblyopone

A pale, blind subterranean ant of western North American forests that hunts centipedes and other soil arthropods. Like other dracula ants, it feeds on the hemolymph of its larvae.

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Did You Know?

They are specialist predators of centipedes, which they paralyze with their sting before feeding them to larvae.

Common Whitetail

A stocky dragonfly where mature males sport a chalky white abdomen and dark wing bands. It is one of the most frequently observed dragonflies in North America.

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Did You Know?

Male common whitetails are extremely aggressive and will attack and chase away dragonflies much larger than themselves from their territories.