Western Harvester Ant vs Asian Army Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Harvester Ant Asian Army Ant
Scientific Name Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Aenictus laeviceps
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Formicidae
Size 6-10 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Grasslands Underground
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Western United States and southwestern Canada Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Asian Army Ant

A small, pale yellow army ant widespread across tropical Asia. Colonies raid nests of other ants and termites in organized columns. Workers are entirely blind and rely on chemical trails for coordination during foraging and migration.

💡

Did You Know?

They are the only army ant genus found across both Asia and Africa, suggesting an ancient origin before these continents separated.