Giant Ichneumon Wasp vs Birdwing Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Ichneumon Wasp Birdwing Butterfly
Scientific Name Dolichomitus imperator Ornithoptera alexandrae
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Papilionidae
Size 20-40 mm body, 70 mm ovipositor 210-310 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Giant Ichneumon Wasp

A parasitoid wasp with an ovipositor longer than its body used to drill into wood.

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Did You Know?

It detects beetle larvae vibrations through several centimeters of solid wood.

Birdwing Butterfly

The largest butterfly in the world with a wingspan up to 31 cm. Found only in a small area of Papua New Guinea. Females are larger but males have brighter blue-green coloring.

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Did You Know?

Queen Alexandras birdwing is so large it was first collected by shooting it with a shotgun — it remains the worlds largest butterfly with a wingspan wider than a dinner plate.