Ichneumon Wasp vs California Timema
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ichneumon Wasp | California Timema |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megarhyssa macrurus | Timema californicum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Timematidae |
| Size | 25-50 mm body plus 100+ mm ovipositor | 1.5-2.5 cm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | United States (California) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ichneumon Wasp
A large parasitoid wasp with an extremely long, thread-like ovipositor that can exceed the length of its body. Females drill through solid wood to reach their host larvae deep inside.
Did You Know?
The female can somehow detect horntail larvae vibrations through several centimeters of solid wood and then drill her flexible ovipositor to reach them with remarkable accuracy.
California Timema
A small green walking stick endemic to California. It is one of the most widespread Timema species on the Pacific coast.
Did You Know?
The entire genus Timema is restricted to western North America and represents the most ancient lineage of living stick insects.