Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly vs Lesser Leaf-Cutter Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly | Lesser Leaf-Cutter Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neodiprion swainei | Acromyrmex octospinosus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Diprionidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 2-10 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern Canada, northeastern United States | Central America, Caribbean, northern South America, Brazil |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly
A pine sawfly with strongly pectinate male antennae and sawfly females that are stouter and paler. Larvae are olive green with lighter stripes and feed on jack pine.
Did You Know?
Major outbreaks have historically defoliated millions of hectares of jack pine in Quebec, though populations crash when viral diseases sweep through colonies.
Lesser Leaf-Cutter Ant
A smaller leaf-cutter ant species covered in spiny tubercles on its body. It forms more modest colonies than Atta but is equally dependent on fungal agriculture.
Did You Know?
Workers produce antibiotic compounds from bacteria on their bodies to protect their fungal gardens from parasitic molds.