Xiphydriid Maple Borer vs African Driver Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Xiphydriid Maple Borer African Driver Ant
Scientific Name Xiphydria maculata Dorylus wilverthi
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Xiphydriidae Dorylidae
Size 10-18 mm Workers 3-13 mm; queen up to 50 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America Central Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Xiphydriid Maple Borer

A slender wood wasp with a long, narrow neck region and dark body spotted with pale markings. Females bore into hardwood trees, especially maples.

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Did You Know?

Xiphydriid wood wasps are rarely seen despite being widespread, as they are secretive insects that spend most of their life cycle deep inside wood.

African Driver Ant

A notorious army ant species that forms massive raiding columns through the forest floor. Colonies can contain over 20 million individuals.

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Did You Know?

Soldier ants have such powerful jaws that indigenous peoples have used them as natural wound sutures.