Spotted Lanternfly vs Giant Ichneumon Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spotted Lanternfly Giant Ichneumon Wasp
Scientific Name Lycorma delicatula Dolichomitus imperator
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Fulgoridae Ichneumonidae
Size 25 mm 20-40 mm body, 70 mm ovipositor
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Asia, North America (invasive) Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spotted Lanternfly

A colorful invasive planthopper from China threatening vineyards, orchards, and hardwood forests in North America. Adults have striking red hindwings revealed in flight.

💡

Did You Know?

Spotted lanternflies are such a threat that multiple US states have quarantine zones — citizens are legally instructed to kill any lanternfly they see on sight.

Giant Ichneumon Wasp

A parasitoid wasp with an ovipositor longer than its body used to drill into wood.

💡

Did You Know?

It detects beetle larvae vibrations through several centimeters of solid wood.