Peacock Butterfly vs New Zealand Praying Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Peacock Butterfly | New Zealand Praying Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglais io | Orthodera novaezealandiae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Mantidae |
| Size | 50-55 mm wingspan | 35-45 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Peacock Butterfly
Reddish-brown wings with four large blue and yellow eyespots resembling peacock feathers. Undersides are nearly black, providing camouflage when at rest.
Did You Know?
When threatened, it rapidly opens its wings to flash its eyespots while making a hissing sound.
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.