Neotropical Tiger Beetle vs Budwing Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Tiger Beetle Budwing Mantis
Scientific Name Pseudoxycheila tarsalis Parasphendale affinis
Order Coleoptera Mantodea
Family Cicindelidae Mantidae
Size 15-22 mm 40-60 mm
Habitat Forests Heathland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Neotropical Tiger Beetle

A fast-running predatory beetle with metallic blue-green elytra and large sickle-shaped mandibles. It actively hunts small invertebrates on the forest floor.

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Did You Know?

It runs so fast while chasing prey that it must periodically stop to re-orient because its eyes cannot process images at full speed.

Budwing Mantis

A sturdy, aggressive mantis from East Africa named for the bud-like wing stubs of the females, who are mostly flightless. Males are slender with full wings.

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Did You Know?

Budwing mantises are among the most aggressive mantis species and have been observed attacking prey larger than themselves, including small lizards.