Giant Devil's Flower Mantis vs Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Devil's Flower Mantis Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly
Scientific Name Idolomantis serrula Xyela minor
Order Mantodea Hymenoptera
Family Empusidae Xyelidae
Size 80-110 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Pollen Feeders
Regions Tanzania, Kenya North America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Giant Devil's Flower Mantis

A close relative of the devil's flower mantis found in the dry forests of East Africa. It has serrated leg lobes that enhance its leaf-like disguise.

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Did You Know?

Its serrated leg lobes are unique in the genus and give it a more ragged, leaf-like appearance.

Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly

A tiny sawfly with the characteristic elongated third antennal segment of its ancient family. Adults emerge in early spring to coincide with pine pollen release.

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Did You Know?

Xyelid sawflies time their adult emergence precisely to the few weeks when pine male cones are shedding pollen, their larvae's only food source.