Teratembiid Web Spinner vs Eastern Clytus

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Teratembiid Web Spinner Eastern Clytus
Scientific Name Teratembia geniculata Clytus planifrons
Order Embioptera Coleoptera
Family Teratembiidae Cerambycidae
Size 6.0-9.0 mm 8-15 mm
Habitat Heathland Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America Eastern United States, southeastern Canada
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Teratembiid Web Spinner

A small web spinner found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has distinctively bent hind femora used for navigating silk tunnels.

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Did You Know?

The bent knees of this web spinner act as anchors allowing it to brace inside its silk tunnels when threatened.

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.