Western Yellowjacket vs Severini's Rover Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Yellowjacket Severini's Rover Ant
Scientific Name Vespula pensylvanica Tetramorium severini
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Vespidae Formicidae
Size 11-16 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Carrion Feeders Omnivores
Regions Western North America from Alaska to Mexico Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Western Yellowjacket

The most common yellowjacket in western North America with a distinctive diamond-shaped black mark on its first abdominal segment. It is a frequent uninvited guest at outdoor picnics.

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Did You Know?

In Hawaii, where it was accidentally introduced, it has become a serious invasive pest threatening native insects.

Severini's Rover Ant

A small leaf-litter ant with a finely striate head and propodeal spines of moderate length. It belongs to the T. severini species group endemic to Madagascar.

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Did You Know?

Its species group contains numerous cryptic species that can only be reliably distinguished using DNA barcoding methods.