Terminalis Spongillafly vs Slave-Maker Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Terminalis Spongillafly Slave-Maker Ant
Scientific Name Sisyra terminalis Temnothorax americanus
Order Neuroptera Hymenoptera
Family Sisyridae Formicidae
Size 7-10 mm wingspan 2-3 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Central Asia Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Terminalis Spongillafly

A Palearctic spongillafly with dark wing tips found near clean freshwater systems. Indicator of good water quality and healthy sponge populations.

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Did You Know?

Its presence near a waterway is considered an indicator of excellent freshwater quality.

Slave-Maker Ant

A tiny North American slave-making ant that raids colonies of closely related Temnothorax species. Workers have saber-like mandibles used in raids. Enslaved workers eventually perform all domestic tasks while raiders focus solely on conducting new raids.

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Did You Know?

Enslaved Temnothorax workers sometimes rebel by destroying the slave-maker brood they are supposed to rear, reducing the raiding colony's future workforce.