Thatching Ant vs Saw-toothed Grain Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thatching Ant | Saw-toothed Grain Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Formica obscuripes | Oryzaephilus surinamensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Silvanidae |
| Size | 4-8 mm | 2.5-3.5 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Gardens |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Thatching Ant
A mound-building ant of western North America that constructs large thatched nests from plant debris. Workers are bicolored red and black with powerful mandibles.
Did You Know?
Their mounds can reach over a meter tall and persist for decades, becoming important microhabitats for other organisms.
Saw-toothed Grain Beetle
A slender brown beetle with six tooth-like projections on each side of the thorax. It is a cosmopolitan pest of processed grain products and dried foods.
Did You Know?
Its flat body allows it to squeeze through incredibly narrow gaps in food packaging.