Lunate Ichneumon vs Flower Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lunate Ichneumon | Flower Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megarhyssa greenei | Cerceris rybyensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm body, ovipositor up to 80 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It is the smallest of the three North American Megarhyssa species but still impressively large.
Flower Wasp
A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.
Did You Know?
Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.