Thomson's Longhorn vs Bullet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thomson's Longhorn | Bullet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Batocera thomsonii | Paraponera clavata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 38-60 mm | 18-30 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Philippines | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thomson's Longhorn
A large and robust cerambycid from the Philippines with chocolate-brown elytra marked by irregular cream-colored patches. It is named after the 19th-century entomologist James Thomson. Larvae develop in breadfruit and mahogany trunks.
Did You Know?
Pupation occurs in a chamber lined with wood shavings that the larva compacts into smooth walls.
Bullet Ant
Named for its extremely painful sting, rated 4+ on the Schmidt Pain Index. Indigenous Satere-Mawe people use them in warrior initiation rites. The pain can last 24 hours.
Did You Know?
The bullet ants sting is the most painful of any insect — described as waves of burning, throbbing, all-consuming pain that lasts up to 24 hours without any relief.