Lunate Ichneumon vs Blackberry Leaf Miner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lunate Ichneumon Blackberry Leaf Miner
Scientific Name Megarhyssa greenei Metallus pumilus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Tenthredinidae
Size 25-40 mm body, ovipositor up to 80 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Parasitoids Herbivores
Regions North America Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lunate Ichneumon

A reddish-brown parasitoid wasp native to North America. It targets horntail larvae in hardwood trees and uses its long ovipositor to reach them.

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Did You Know?

It is the smallest of the three North American Megarhyssa species but still impressively large.

Blackberry Leaf Miner

A tiny, dark metallic sawfly whose larvae create blotch mines in blackberry and raspberry leaves. Mined areas turn brown and papery.

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Did You Know?

Despite their tiny size, heavy infestations can mine nearly every leaf on a blackberry bush, significantly reducing fruit yield.