Small Emerald Moth vs Mediterranean Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Emerald Moth Mediterranean Mantis
Scientific Name Hemistola chrysoprasaria Iris oratoria
Order Lepidoptera Mantodea
Family Geometridae Mantidae
Size 28-33 mm wingspan 40-60 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Europe Southern Europe, North Africa, Western United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Emerald Moth

A small, delicate moth with uniformly pale green wings and fine white fringe. It is one of the daintiest European emerald moths.

💡

Did You Know?

It feeds exclusively on wild clematis, making it confined to areas where this plant grows.

Mediterranean Mantis

A medium-sized mantis with striking eyespots on its hindwings used to startle predators. It is native to the Mediterranean but established in the western United States.

💡

Did You Know?

When threatened, it flashes vivid purple and black eyespots on its hindwings to scare predators.