New Zealand Tiger Beetle vs Grass Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Tiger Beetle | Grass Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neocicindela tuberculata | Pyrgomantis jonesi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Cicindelidae | Pyrgomantidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 40-55 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
New Zealand Tiger Beetle
An endemic tiger beetle found on sandy and clay soils throughout New Zealand. It is an active visual predator that runs down prey on bare ground. The larvae are ambush predators that live in vertical burrows in the soil.
Did You Know?
New Zealand tiger beetles run so fast relative to their size that they temporarily go blind during pursuit, having to stop and re-locate their prey before sprinting again.
Grass Mantis
A very slender mantis adapted to hiding among tall grass stems in savanna.
Did You Know?
Its extremely narrow body profile makes it nearly invisible when viewed head-on.