Powderpost Beetle vs Goblin Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Powderpost Beetle Goblin Mantis
Scientific Name Lyctus brunneus Amorphoscelis pulchella
Order Coleoptera Mantodea
Family Bostrichidae Amorphoscelidae
Size 3-7 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Indoors Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Worldwide Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Powderpost Beetle

A small, slender reddish-brown beetle that reduces hardwood timber to fine powder. It is a significant pest of furniture and flooring.

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Did You Know?

Infested wood can be completely hollowed out while the exterior appears perfectly intact.

Goblin Mantis

A tiny, cryptic mantis found on tree bark in West African forests. Its mottled brown coloring makes it virtually invisible against bark surfaces.

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Did You Know?

At less than 25 mm, it is one of the smallest mantis species in Africa.