Downlooker Fly vs Platter Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Downlooker Fly Platter Ant
Scientific Name Rhagio tringarius Cataulacus intrudens
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Rhagionidae Formicidae
Size 8-12mm 3-6 mm
Habitat Wetlands Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe West and Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Downlooker Fly

A slender predatory fly with spotted wings that perches head-downward on vegetation waiting for prey.

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Did You Know?

Always rests facing downward on stems and leaves, earning it the name downlooker or snipe fly.

Platter Ant

An arboreal African ant with a heavily armored, flattened body and sculptured cuticle. Workers have a broad, shield-like head that can be used to block nest entrances. They nest in tree holes and have a slow, deliberate gait.

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Did You Know?

Their flattened body and strong tarsal grip allow them to resist removal by predators by clamping flat against bark surfaces.