West African Driver Ant vs Swallow-tailed Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute West African Driver Ant Swallow-tailed Moth
Scientific Name Dorylus molestus Ourapteryx sambucaria
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Formicidae Geometridae
Size 3-14 mm 50-62 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

West African Driver Ant

A large East African driver ant known for its painful bites that are difficult to remove once clamped. Columns can stretch for hundreds of meters through montane forests.

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Did You Know?

Their major workers have sickle-shaped mandibles so powerful that they can pierce leather boots.

Swallow-tailed Moth

A large, pale lemon-yellow moth with pointed tail-like projections on its hindwings. Its graceful shape and colour make it one of the most elegant geometrid moths.

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Did You Know?

Despite its butterfly-like tail extensions, it is a true moth and is strongly attracted to light.