Oak Eggar vs New Zealand Praying Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oak Eggar | New Zealand Praying Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lasiocampa quercus | Orthodera novaezealandiae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Lasiocampidae | Mantidae |
| Size | 50-75 mm wingspan | 35-45 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, western Asia | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Oak Eggar
A robust moth with rich brown wings and a distinctive white spot on each forewing. Males are active fast fliers during the day, while females fly at night.
Did You Know?
Males can detect a female's pheromones from several kilometres away.
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.