Thief Ant vs Large Larch Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thief Ant | Large Larch Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Solenopsis molesta | Nematus erichsonii |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 8-10 mm (adult) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
Thief Ant
One of the smallest ant species in North America, nesting near larger ant colonies to steal food and brood. Their tiny size allows them to enter other nests through passages too small for defenders.
Did You Know?
They are so small they can live inside the walls of other ant nests for extended periods without being detected.
Large Larch Sawfly
A gregarious defoliator of larch in European forests. Larvae feed in groups and can rapidly strip branches of needles.
Did You Know?
Defoliated larch trees produce a second flush of needles but suffer significant growth reduction.