Thief Ant vs Mason Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thief Ant | Mason Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Solenopsis molesta | Ancistrocerus nigricornis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
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.
Mason Wasp
A small black and yellow solitary wasp that nests in pre-existing holes and hollow stems. It provisions each cell with paralyzed moth caterpillars.
Did You Know?
It readily uses artificial bee hotels, making it one of the easiest solitary wasps to attract to gardens.