Trap-Jaw Ant vs Spined Sweat Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Trap-Jaw Ant | Spined Sweat Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Odontomachus bauri | Agapostemon splendens |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Halictidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Trap-Jaw Ant
Has the fastest-closing jaws in the animal kingdom — mandibles snap shut at 64 m/s (230 km/h) with force 300 times the ants body weight, allowing it to catapult itself to safety.
Did You Know?
Trap-jaw ants can launch themselves into the air by snapping their mandibles against the ground — they use this as an emergency escape mechanism against predators.
Spined Sweat Bee
A brilliantly iridescent green sweat bee with bluish reflections found in the eastern United States. Both sexes are entirely metallic green, unlike many other Agapostemon species.
Did You Know?
It strongly prefers nesting in moist or damp soil near water, unlike most other sweat bees that prefer drier substrates.