Sri Lankan Relict Ant vs Army Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sri Lankan Relict Ant Army Ant
Scientific Name Aneuretus simoni Eciton burchellii
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Aneuretidae Formicidae
Size 3-4 mm 3-12 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Sri Lanka Central America, South America
Conservation Critically Endangered Least Concern

Sri Lankan Relict Ant

The sole surviving member of its entire subfamily, known only from a few localities in Sri Lanka's rainforests. A true living fossil representing an ancient ant lineage.

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Did You Know?

The only living species in its entire subfamily, all other members went extinct millions of years ago.

Army Ant

Nomadic ants that do not build permanent nests. Raids of up to 200,000 workers sweep through the forest floor consuming everything in their path. Workers link bodies to form living bridges.

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Did You Know?

Army ants build living structures from their own bodies — bridges, walls, and bivouacs made of 500,000 ants linked together, complete with climate-controlled nursery chambers inside.