Lunar Ichneumon Wasp vs Montieth's Leaf Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lunar Ichneumon Wasp Montieth's Leaf Insect
Scientific Name Megarhyssa lunator Phyllium monteithi
Order Hymenoptera Phasmatodea
Family Ichneumonidae Phylliidae
Size 30-50 mm body, ovipositor up to 130 mm 5-8 cm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Eastern North America Australia (Queensland)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lunar Ichneumon Wasp

A striking ichneumon with a yellow and brown banded body. It parasitizes pigeon tremex horntail larvae inside hardwood trees.

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Did You Know?

Its ovipositor is the longest relative to body size of any insect in North America.

Montieth's Leaf Insect

A leaf insect from the tropical forests of Queensland, Australia. It is one of only a few Phylliidae species found on the Australian continent.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the southernmost-ranging leaf insects in the world.