Winnow Ant vs Painted Dark Sweat Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Winnow Ant | Painted Dark Sweat Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aphaenogaster senilis | Lasioglossum pictum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Halictidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 6-7 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa | Western Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Winnow Ant
A large, dark Mediterranean ant that is an important seed disperser in scrubland ecosystems. Workers carry seeds with attached nutrient-rich elaiosomes to their nests. They are thermophilic and forage during the hottest part of the day.
Did You Know?
They are responsible for dispersing the seeds of over 30 plant species in Mediterranean ecosystems, making them keystone seed dispersers.
Painted Dark Sweat Bee
A small dark furrow bee with fine punctation on its thorax found in western Europe. It nests in sparsely vegetated ground and visits a range of open flowers.
Did You Know?
It is so small and nondescript that it can only be reliably identified from other Lasioglossum species under a microscope.