American Marsh Treader vs Ant Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Marsh Treader Ant Mantis
Scientific Name Hydrometra martini Odontomantis planiceps
Order Hemiptera Mantodea
Family Hydrometridae Hymenopodidae
Size 8-11 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Wetlands Grasslands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

American Marsh Treader

A very thin, elongate bug with a head nearly as long as its thorax. It creeps slowly along floating debris and sphagnum mats at the edges of ponds and marshes.

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Did You Know?

It moves so slowly and deliberately that it rarely disturbs the water surface, making it nearly invisible to predators.

Ant Mantis

A tiny mantis whose nymphs mimic ants to avoid predation.

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Did You Know?

First-instar nymphs run erratically with raised abdomens like weaver ants.