Costa Rican Dead Leaf Mantis vs Swallow-tailed Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Costa Rican Dead Leaf Mantis Swallow-tailed Moth
Scientific Name Acanthops centralis Ourapteryx sambucaria
Order Mantodea Lepidoptera
Family Acanthopidae Geometridae
Size 35-48 mm 50-62 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Costa Rica, Panama Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Costa Rican Dead Leaf Mantis

The only Acanthops species found in Central America, extending the genus's range northward. It inhabits lowland wet forests of Costa Rica and Panama.

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Did You Know?

It represents the northernmost range limit of the entire dead leaf mantis genus.

Swallow-tailed Moth

A large, pale lemon-yellow moth with pointed tail-like projections on its hindwings. Its graceful shape and colour make it one of the most elegant geometrid moths.

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Did You Know?

Despite its butterfly-like tail extensions, it is a true moth and is strongly attracted to light.