Birch Sawfly vs Spanish Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Birch Sawfly Spanish Stick Insect
Scientific Name Cimbex femoratus Leptynia hispanica
Order Hymenoptera Phasmatodea
Family Cimbicidae Phasmatidae
Size 20-28 mm 4-6 cm
Habitat Parks Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Spain, Portugal
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Birch Sawfly

One of the largest European sawflies, with a stout body, clubbed antennae, and variable coloring from black to yellowish-brown. Larvae are large, pale green caterpillar-like grubs found curled on birch leaves.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, the large larva can squirt a jet of fluid from glands above its spiracles as a defensive mechanism.

Spanish Stick Insect

A small, slender European stick insect found across the Iberian Peninsula. It is one of the few phasmids native to Europe.

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Did You Know?

It is one of only a handful of stick insect species native to Europe.