Caenis Glider vs Goblin Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Caenis Glider Goblin Mantis
Scientific Name Cymothoe caenis Amorphoscelis pulchella
Order Lepidoptera Mantodea
Family Nymphalidae Amorphoscelidae
Size 50-65 mm wingspan 15-25 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Fruit Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Guinea) Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Caenis Glider

A widespread West African forest butterfly with orange-tawny males and brownish females with white markings. It is commonly found along forest paths and in clearings. The flight is a characteristic slow glide.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the most commonly encountered Cymothoe species and is often the first glider butterfly new visitors to West African forests observe.

Goblin Mantis

A tiny, cryptic mantis found on tree bark in West African forests. Its mottled brown coloring makes it virtually invisible against bark surfaces.

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Did You Know?

At less than 25 mm, it is one of the smallest mantis species in Africa.