Turtle Ant vs Western Eyed Click Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Turtle Ant | Western Eyed Click Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cephalotes atratus | Alaus melanops |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Elateridae |
| Size | 6-14 mm | 25-40 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Western North America |
| 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.
Western Eyed Click Beetle
The western counterpart to the eyed click beetle, with smaller, solid black eyespots. Found in old-growth forests.
Did You Know?
Their predatory larvae are beneficial because they consume destructive wood-boring pest larvae.