New Zealand Praying Mantis vs Roeder's Dead Leaf Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Praying Mantis | Roeder's Dead Leaf Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthodera novaezealandiae | Acanthops roederiana |
| Order | Mantodea | Mantodea |
| Family | Mantidae | Acanthopidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm | 35-50 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Brazil, Peru, Ecuador |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
New Zealand Praying Mantis
New Zealand's only native praying mantis, a small bright green species found throughout the country. It is now threatened by competition from the larger introduced South African mantis. Females are larger than males and occasionally cannibalize them after mating.
Did You Know?
The native New Zealand mantis is being outcompeted by the introduced South African mantis, which arrived around 1978 and is now more common in many areas.
Roeder's Dead Leaf Mantis
A dark brown dead leaf mantis from the Amazon basin named after entomologist Roeder. Its serrated pronotum edges mimic a torn leaf margin.
Did You Know?
Its serrated pronotum is so leaf-like that it creates the illusion of insect damage on a real leaf.