Texas Leafcutter Ant vs Slave-Making Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Texas Leafcutter Ant | Slave-Making Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atta texana | Formica sanguinea |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 1.5-12 mm | 5-9 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Heathland |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern United States, Northern Mexico | Europe, Western Asia, Japan |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Texas Leafcutter Ant
The northernmost leafcutter ant species, found in the southern United States. Nests can extend 6 meters deep and cover large underground areas.
Did You Know?
Their underground nests can contain over 1,000 individual chambers connected by an intricate tunnel network.
Slave-Making Ant
A facultative slave-making ant that raids colonies of other Formica species to steal pupae. The stolen brood hatches and works for the slave-maker colony. Workers are reddish with darker heads and can also establish independent colonies.
Did You Know?
Unlike obligate slave-makers, this species can survive without slaves, but raided colonies grow much faster.