Spring Stonefly vs Lower Attine Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spring Stonefly Lower Attine Ant
Scientific Name Amphinemura sulcicollis Cyphomyrmex rimosus
Order Plecoptera Hymenoptera
Family Nemouridae Formicidae
Size 6-9 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Gardens
Diet Detritivores Detritivores
Regions Europe Southern United States, Central and South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spring Stonefly

A small dark stonefly that emerges in early spring in European streams. Nymphs are shredders of decomposing leaf litter in headwaters.

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Did You Know?

Adults are among the first insects to appear each spring, sometimes emerging while snow still covers the banks.

Lower Attine Ant

A tiny, cryptic fungus-growing ant with a rugose and heavily sculptured dark brown body. Workers cultivate yeast rather than the mycelial fungus of more derived attines. They collect insect frass and dead plant material for their yeast gardens.

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Did You Know?

Unlike their famous leafcutter relatives, they grow a yeast-like fungus rather than the mushroom-like fungi cultivated by Atta and Acromyrmex.