Giant Jawed Longhorn vs Long-tailed Giant Ichneumon

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Jawed Longhorn Long-tailed Giant Ichneumon
Scientific Name Macrodontia dejeanii Megarhyssa atrata
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Cerambycidae Ichneumonidae
Size 50-85 mm 30-50 mm body, ovipositor up to 130 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Jawed Longhorn

A large prionine with impressive curved mandibles from the tropical forests of South America. While smaller than the famous M. cervicornis, it is still a formidable insect. Males use their enlarged mandibles in combat over females.

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Did You Know?

The mandibles of males can account for nearly a third of total body length and are used like antlers in combat.

Long-tailed Giant Ichneumon

A large dark-bodied ichneumonid wasp found in eastern North America. Females bore through bark to parasitize pigeon tremex horntail larvae.

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Did You Know?

Multiple females often congregate on the same dead tree, drilling simultaneously for hosts.