Spiny Ant vs Hawaiian Happy-face Spider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spiny Ant | Hawaiian Happy-face Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polyrhachis dives | Theridion grallator |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Araneae |
| Family | Formicidae | Theridiidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 5 mm body length |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, southern China, India | Hawaii |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Spiny Ant
A distinctive Asian ant with paired spines on the petiole and propodeum. Workers are metallic dark brown and build nests from silk produced by larvae, similar to weaver ants. Colonies are arboreal and highly territorial.
Did You Know?
They are commonly eaten as a protein-rich food in parts of southern China, where they are harvested from silk nests in trees.
Hawaiian Happy-face Spider
A tiny Hawaiian spider with markings on its abdomen that resemble a smiling face. It is endemic to the rainforests of four Hawaiian islands.
Did You Know?
The smiley-face pattern is thought to confuse predators by disrupting recognition of the spider shape.