Common Aleocharine vs Bordered Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Aleocharine Bordered Mantis
Scientific Name Atheta coriaria Stagmatoptera biocellata
Order Coleoptera Mantodea
Family Staphylinidae Mantidae
Size 3-4 mm 60-80mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Holarctic, now distributed globally through commercial biocontrol South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Aleocharine

A tiny, dark brown aleocharine rove beetle now commercially sold as a biological control agent. It is an aggressive predator of fungus gnat larvae, thrips, and shore fly larvae in greenhouses.

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Did You Know?

This beetle is sold commercially by biocontrol companies and released by the thousands in greenhouses to control fungus gnats organically.

Bordered Mantis

A large green mantis with two prominent dark eyespots on the inner surfaces of its forelegs. It uses these spots in its threat display by spreading its legs wide. It is common in South American forests.

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Did You Know?

The twin eyespots on its forelegs create the illusion of a face with two large eyes when displayed to predators.