Japanese Horntail vs Japanese Luehdorfia

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Horntail Japanese Luehdorfia
Scientific Name Eriotremex formosanus Luehdorfia japonica
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Siricidae Papilionidae
Size 20-35 mm 45-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions East Asia, Taiwan, introduced to southeastern United States Japan (Honshu)
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Japanese Horntail

A large wood wasp with a robust reddish-brown body and dark wings. Native to East Asia, it attacks stressed and recently felled hardwood trees.

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Did You Know?

This species was first detected in North America in 1974 and is one of the few tropical siricid wood wasps to establish invasive populations.

Japanese Luehdorfia

A rare spring-flying swallowtail butterfly endemic to Japan. Named 'spring goddess' in Japanese. Has declined severely due to habitat loss and deer browsing on its food plants.

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Did You Know?

Called 'gifu-cho' (Gifu butterfly) in Japanese and considered a symbol of spring in Japanese culture.