Lunar Ichneumon Wasp vs Spiny Dead Leaf Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Lunar Ichneumon Wasp	Spiny Dead Leaf Mantis
Scientific Name	Megarhyssa lunator	Acanthops tuberculata
Order	Hymenoptera	Mantodea
Family	Ichneumonidae	Acanthopidae
Size	30-50 mm body, ovipositor up to 130 mm	35-50 mm
Habitat	Forests	Forests
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Omnivores
Regions	Eastern North America	Venezuela, Colombia, Trinidad
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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Its ovipositor is the longest relative to body size of any insect in North America.

A heavily textured dead leaf mantis covered in bumps and tubercles from northern South America. The rough texture adds to its dried leaf disguise.

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Its body tubercles create tiny shadows that enhance the three-dimensional leaf illusion.