Thief Ant vs Spring Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thief Ant | Spring Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Solenopsis molesta | Photinus ardens |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| 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.
Spring Firefly
A small early-season firefly of the eastern United States with a distinctive fast double-pulse flash pattern. It has a dark body with a pinkish-red pronotum and is among the first fireflies to appear each year.
Did You Know?
This species often begins flashing earlier in the evening than most other North American fireflies.