African Grass Mantis vs Split-Footed Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Grass Mantis Split-Footed Lacewing
Scientific Name Pyrgomantis nasuta Nymphes myrmeleonides
Order Mantodea Neuroptera
Family Mantidae Nymphidae
Size 50-70 mm 50-70 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Africa, Southern Africa Oceania
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.

Split-Footed Lacewing

A large Australian lacewing with a wingspan up to 70 mm and distinctive bilobed tarsi. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights.

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Did You Know?

This species belongs to an ancient lineage of lacewings found only in Australia, dating back over 150 million years.