Purple-winged Mantis vs Common Acerentomid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Purple-winged Mantis Common Acerentomid
Scientific Name Tenodera australasiae Acerentomon doderoi
Order Mantodea Protura
Family Mantidae Acerentomidae
Size 70-95 mm 0.5-1.5 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Australia, Oceania Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Purple-winged Mantis

A large Australian mantis with distinctive purple-tinged wings that are displayed in flight. It is one of the more conspicuous mantis species found in tropical and subtropical Australia.

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Did You Know?

When it flies, the purple wings create a startling flash of colour that may confuse bird predators.

Common Acerentomid

A tiny eyeless proturan found in forest soils across Europe. It walks on only four legs, holding its forelegs forward as antennae.

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Did You Know?

Proturans are the only hexapods that add body segments as they molt, starting with nine abdominal segments and gaining three more.