Winter Ant vs Ichneumon Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Winter Ant | Ichneumon Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Prenolepis imparis | Megarhyssa macrurus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 25-50 mm body plus 100+ mm ovipositor |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Winter Ant
A small brown ant unique for being most active during cold months when other ants are dormant. Replete workers store liquid food in distended abdomens for the colony.
Did You Know?
They hold their nuptial flights in late winter or early spring, sometimes walking over snow to mate.
Ichneumon Wasp
A large parasitoid wasp with an extremely long, thread-like ovipositor that can exceed the length of its body. Females drill through solid wood to reach their host larvae deep inside.
Did You Know?
The female can somehow detect horntail larvae vibrations through several centimeters of solid wood and then drill her flexible ovipositor to reach them with remarkable accuracy.