Mountain Ash Sawfly vs Malagasy Praying Stick Insect
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Ash Sawfly | Malagasy Praying Stick Insect |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pristiphora geniculata | Achrioptera punctipes |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Tenthredinidae | Achriopteridae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 150-200 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, introduced to North America | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mountain Ash Sawfly
A small blackish sawfly with pale legs whose green larvae can completely defoliate mountain ash (rowan) trees. Larvae have dark heads and feed gregariously.
Did You Know?
Introduced to North America in the early 1900s, it quickly became the most damaging pest of ornamental mountain ash trees across the continent.
Malagasy Praying Stick Insect
A large stick insect with spotted legs and a green to brown body covered in small spiny tubercles. Females are considerably larger than males and lack bright coloring.
Did You Know?
Its spotted legs serve as a secondary identification feature that distinguishes it from the many other Achrioptera species on the island.