Surinam Lanternfly vs Lunar Ichneumon Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Surinam Lanternfly Lunar Ichneumon Wasp
Scientific Name Fulgora surinamensis Megarhyssa lunator
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Fulgoridae Ichneumonidae
Size 70-85 mm wingspan 30-50 mm body, ovipositor up to 130 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Suriname, Guyana, Northern Brazil Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Surinam Lanternfly

A large Neotropical lanternfly with a broad head process and cryptically patterned forewings that reveal startling eyespot hindwings when threatened. The body is mottled gray-brown.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, it suddenly flashes its eyespot-bearing hindwings to startle predators, a behavior known as a deimatic display.

Lunar Ichneumon Wasp

A striking ichneumon with a yellow and brown banded body. It parasitizes pigeon tremex horntail larvae inside hardwood trees.

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Did You Know?

Its ovipositor is the longest relative to body size of any insect in North America.