North American Horntail vs Eastern Clytus

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute North American Horntail Eastern Clytus
Scientific Name Tremex columba Clytus planifrons
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Siricidae Cerambycidae
Size 25–50 mm 8-15 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Eastern United States, southeastern Canada
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

North American Horntail

A large horntail wasp found across eastern North America. It attacks dead and dying hardwood trees such as beech, maple, and elm.

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Did You Know?

The parasitoid wasp Megarhyssa macrurus uses its extremely long ovipositor to reach horntail larvae deep inside wood.

Eastern Clytus

A wasp-mimicking cerambycid found in the deciduous forests of eastern North America with bold yellow and black banding. It is primarily a dead oak and hickory borer. Adults emerge in midsummer and are strong fliers.

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Did You Know?

Multiple Clytus species co-occur in eastern forests but use different wood types, reducing competition.