Tawny Crazy Ant vs Painted Nomad Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tawny Crazy Ant Painted Nomad Bee
Scientific Name Nylanderia fulva Nomada fucata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Apidae
Size 2-3 mm 8-10mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Parasitoids
Regions South America, Southern United States Europe
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.

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Did You Know?

They coat themselves in formic acid as an antidote after being stung by fire ants, a unique detoxification behavior.

Painted Nomad Bee

A bright yellow and black cuckoo bee that parasitizes the nests of Andrena mining bees.

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Did You Know?

Sneaks into mining bee nests while the host is away foraging and lays eggs that will outcompete the host's larva.