Spine-waisted Ant vs Pipe-organ Mud Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spine-waisted Ant | Pipe-organ Mud Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aphaenogaster tennesseensis | Trypoxylon figulus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 4-5 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Spine-waisted Ant
A slender reddish-brown ant common in eastern North American deciduous forests. It is an important seed disperser, carrying seeds with nutritious elaiosomes back to its nest.
Did You Know?
They are responsible for dispersing seeds of many spring wildflowers including trilliums, violets, and bloodroot.
Pipe-organ Mud Wasp
A slender black solitary wasp that builds mud-tube nests in hollow stems and holes, provisioning them with paralyzed spiders. Named for the organ-pipe arrangement of its mud cells.
Did You Know?
Builds multiple tube-shaped mud cells arranged like the pipes of a church organ.