Spruce Budworm Parasite vs Severini's Rover Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spruce Budworm Parasite Severini's Rover Ant
Scientific Name Meteorus trachynotus Tetramorium severini
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Braconidae Formicidae
Size 3-5 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Parasitoids Omnivores
Regions North America Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spruce Budworm Parasite

A small brown braconid wasp that is a key natural enemy of the spruce budworm in North American boreal forests. It suspends its cocoon on a silk thread from the host.

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Did You Know?

Its cocoon dangles from a silk thread like a tiny pendulum, which may protect it from ground-dwelling predators.

Severini's Rover Ant

A small leaf-litter ant with a finely striate head and propodeal spines of moderate length. It belongs to the T. severini species group endemic to Madagascar.

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Did You Know?

Its species group contains numerous cryptic species that can only be reliably distinguished using DNA barcoding methods.