Western Harvester Ant vs Coconut Hispine Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Harvester Ant Coconut Hispine Beetle
Scientific Name Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Brontispa longissima
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Formicidae Chrysomelidae
Size 6-10 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Western United States and southwestern Canada Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands
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.

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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.

Coconut Hispine Beetle

An elongate, flattened beetle with a dark head and thorax and paler brown elytra. It is a serious pest of coconut palms throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific, damaging young fronds.

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Did You Know?

Heavy infestations can kill coconut palms, and the beetle has been the target of major biological control programs using parasitoid wasps.