Turtle Ant vs Southern Pine Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Turtle Ant | Southern Pine Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cephalotes atratus | Dendroctonus frontalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 6-14 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Southeastern United States from Texas to Virginia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Turtle Ant
A large, flat-bodied arboreal ant with a broad disc-shaped head used to block nest entrances in tree holes. Workers can glide directionally when falling from the canopy.
Did You Know?
They are one of the few ant species capable of directed aerial gliding, steering back to their tree trunk mid-fall.
Southern Pine Beetle
A tiny dark brown bark beetle that is the most destructive insect pest of southern pine forests. Infestations can kill thousands of trees in a single outbreak.
Did You Know?
Its S-shaped larval galleries beneath the bark are so distinctive they can be used to identify the species.