Australian Emperor Dragonfly vs Wandering Violin Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Emperor Dragonfly | Wandering Violin Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anax papuensis | Gongylus gongyloides |
| Order | Odonata | Mantodea |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Empusidae |
| Size | Body 7-8 cm; wingspan 10-11 cm | 60-90 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands | Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian Emperor Dragonfly
A large, powerful dragonfly with a green thorax and blue-spotted abdomen. It is a strong flier commonly seen patrolling ponds and lakes across Australia.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few dragonfly species to have naturally colonized New Zealand by flying across the Tasman Sea.
Wandering Violin Mantis
An extremely bizarre-looking mantis with an elongated thorax, leaf-like appendages, and a violin-shaped body. It is one of the most unusual mantis species in the world.
Did You Know?
The wandering violin mantis is one of the only mantis species known to actively attract prey by waving its leaf-like body parts to mimic wind-blown vegetation.