Macleay's Spectre vs Giant Jawed Longhorn

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Macleay's Spectre Giant Jawed Longhorn
Scientific Name Extatosoma popa Macrodontia dejeanii
Order Phasmatodea Coleoptera
Family Phasmatidae Cerambycidae
Size 10-14 cm 50-85 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Wood Feeders
Regions Papua New Guinea Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Macleay's Spectre

A large, leaf-mimicking phasmid closely related to the giant prickly stick insect. Its body is covered in lobed projections resembling dried leaves.

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Did You Know?

Its lobed body appendages curl and resemble dead, decaying leaves to perfection.

Giant Jawed Longhorn

A large prionine with impressive curved mandibles from the tropical forests of South America. While smaller than the famous M. cervicornis, it is still a formidable insect. Males use their enlarged mandibles in combat over females.

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Did You Know?

The mandibles of males can account for nearly a third of total body length and are used like antlers in combat.