South American Cuckoo Bee vs Savanna Driver Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Cuckoo Bee Savanna Driver Ant
Scientific Name Exaerete frontalis Dorylus gribodoi
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Formicidae
Size 22-28 mm 2-12 mm
Habitat Woodlands Grasslands
Diet Parasites Omnivores
Regions Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America East Africa, Southern Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

South American Cuckoo Bee

A large metallic blue-green cleptoparasitic orchid bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other orchid bees. Its mandibles are strong enough to break into sealed brood cells.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae first consume the host's food stores, then devour the host bee larva itself before pupating in the stolen nest cell.

Savanna Driver Ant

A subterranean driver ant of African savannas that rarely surfaces, conducting most raids through underground tunnels. Colonies may exceed 20 million workers.

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Did You Know?

Their underground lifestyle means entire colonies can exist beneath a village without residents ever seeing a single ant.