Horntail Wasp vs Paradise Birdwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Horntail Wasp Paradise Birdwing
Scientific Name Urocerus gigas Ornithoptera paradisea
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Siricidae Papilionidae
Size 25-40 mm 120-170 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Fungus Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Oceania (Papua New Guinea)
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Horntail Wasp

A large wood wasp that injects symbiotic fungus into trees along with its eggs.

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Did You Know?

The injected fungus softens the wood to make it digestible for the larvae.

Paradise Birdwing

A spectacular birdwing butterfly endemic to Papua New Guinea, notable for the elongated tails on the male's hindwings. Males display brilliant green and gold colouration. It is found in lowland and hill forests.

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Did You Know?

The male's long hindwing tails trail behind in flight, creating a spectacularly graceful display reminiscent of a bird of paradise.