Blue Morpho vs Lunar Ichneumon Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Morpho | Lunar Ichneumon Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Morpho menelaus | Megarhyssa lunator |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 120-150 mm wingspan | 30-50 mm body, ovipositor up to 130 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Morpho
Renowned for its brilliant iridescent blue wings. The color is not from pigment but from microscopic scales that reflect light. Underwings are brown with eyespots.
Did You Know?
The blue morphos wings are not actually blue — their color comes from millions of nanoscale ridges that manipulate light through constructive interference.
Lunar Ichneumon Wasp
A striking ichneumon with a yellow and brown banded body. It parasitizes pigeon tremex horntail larvae inside hardwood trees.
Did You Know?
Its ovipositor is the longest relative to body size of any insect in North America.