Central African Mantis vs Wahlberg's Velvet Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Central African Mantis Wahlberg's Velvet Mantis
Scientific Name Sphodromantis centralis Ameles decolor
Order Mantodea Mantodea
Family Mantidae Mantidae
Size 55-70 mm 20-30mm
Habitat Forests Indoors
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DRC) Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Central African Mantis

A robust mantis native to Central African forests with green or brownish coloration. Females are noticeably bulkier than males. It hunts by remaining motionless on vegetation until prey comes within striking distance.

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Did You Know?

This mantis can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees, giving it a wide field of vision for detecting both prey and predators.

Wahlberg's Velvet Mantis

A small ground-dwelling mantis from the Mediterranean. Females are wingless and brachypterous while males fly readily.

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Did You Know?

One of the few European mantis species where the female has completely lost the ability to fly.