African Predatory Lacewing vs African Bark Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Predatory Lacewing African Bark Mantis
Scientific Name Chrysopa pudica Tarachodes afzelii
Order Neuroptera Mantodea
Family Chrysopidae Eremiaphilidae
Size 16-24 mm wingspan 25-35 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa West Africa, Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Predatory Lacewing

A robust lacewing found across tropical Africa in forested and cultivated areas. Adults and larvae both contribute to pest suppression.

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Did You Know?

It is frequently collected in cocoa agroforestry systems where it helps control cocoa mirids.

African Bark Mantis

A small flat mantis with mottled grey-brown coloring perfectly matching tree bark. It presses its body flat against trunks to hunt.

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Did You Know?

They run sideways across bark surfaces with remarkable speed, a behavior unique among mantises.