Purple-winged Mantis vs Scaly Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Purple-winged Mantis | Scaly Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tenodera australasiae | Pseudomogoplistes vicentae |
| Order | Mantodea | Orthoptera |
| Family | Mantidae | Mogoplistidae |
| Size | 70-95 mm | 7-11mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
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.
Did You Know?
When it flies, the purple wings create a startling flash of colour that may confuse bird predators.
Scaly Cricket
A tiny wingless cricket covered in iridescent scales. It lives on shingle beaches above the high-tide line. It is extremely secretive, hiding under pebbles during the day.
Did You Know?
It is one of the rarest insects in Britain, found on only a handful of shingle beaches.