African Grass Mantis vs Conehead Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Grass Mantis Conehead Mantis
Scientific Name Pyrgomantis nasuta Empusa pennata
Order Mantodea Mantodea
Family Mantidae Empusidae
Size 50-70 mm 47-65 mm
Habitat Grasslands Heathland
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions East Africa, Southern Africa Europe, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Grass Mantis

An extremely slender mantis shaped like a grass stem with an elongated head and thorax. It sways gently in the wind to mimic grass blades.

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Did You Know?

Their body is so thin and elongated that they are virtually invisible when aligned with a single grass stem.

Conehead Mantis

A distinctive European mantis with a tall conical head crest and feathery antennae in males. Nymphs resemble small aliens with their elongated heads and stick-like bodies.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs of the conehead mantis curl their abdomen upward over their body when walking, causing them to resemble tiny scorpions to deter predators.