Japanese Horntail vs Yellow Ophion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Horntail | Yellow Ophion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriotremex formosanus | Ophion obscuratus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Siricidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 20-35 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | East Asia, Taiwan, introduced to southeastern United States | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
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.
Yellow Ophion
A laterally flattened, tawny-yellow parasitoid wasp active at dusk and after dark. Its larvae develop as internal parasitoids of noctuid moth caterpillars.
Did You Know?
Its laterally compressed abdomen is thought to help it slip between grass blades when searching for host caterpillars.