Tawny Crazy Ant vs Big Sand Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tawny Crazy Ant | Big Sand Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nylanderia fulva | Cicindela formosa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Cicindelidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | South America, Southern United States | North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Tawny Crazy Ant
A small reddish-brown ant that forms enormous supercolonies and is displacing fire ants in the southern United States. They are attracted to electrical equipment and often cause short circuits.
Did You Know?
They coat themselves in formic acid as an antidote after being stung by fire ants, a unique detoxification behavior.
Big Sand Tiger Beetle
A large and colorful tiger beetle found in sandy habitats across North America. Its color varies from bright red to dark brown depending on region.
Did You Know?
It can run so fast that it temporarily goes blind and must stop to re-orient before resuming its chase.