Tropical Fire Ant vs Western Harvester Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tropical Fire Ant | Western Harvester Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Solenopsis geminata | Pogonomyrmex occidentalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 2-6 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Pantropical | Western United States and southwestern Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tropical Fire Ant
A pantropical fire ant with large-headed major workers specialized for seed milling. It is one of the oldest known invasive ant species, spread globally through colonial trade routes.
Did You Know?
It was likely transported around the world in soil ballast of Spanish galleons during the 16th century.
Western Harvester Ant
A large red ant that constructs conspicuous gravel-topped mound nests in western grasslands. It clears all vegetation from a wide circle around its nest entrance.
Did You Know?
Its sting is one of the most painful among North American ants and has been rated highly on the Schmidt pain index.