Ichneumon Wasp vs Green-striped Darner
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ichneumon Wasp | Green-striped Darner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megarhyssa macrurus | Aeshna verticalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 25-50 mm body plus 100+ mm ovipositor | 63-72 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| 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.
Green-striped Darner
A large darner of eastern North America with prominent green thoracic stripes. It flies late in the season and is often seen patrolling woodland edges.
Did You Know?
It is one of the latest-flying darners in eastern North America, active into late October.