South American Dead Leaf Mantis vs Garden Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Dead Leaf Mantis Garden Mantis
Scientific Name Acanthops falcataria Orthodera ministralis
Order Mantodea Mantodea
Family Acanthopidae Mantidae
Size 40-55 mm 35-50 mm
Habitat Forests Gardens
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana Australia, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Dead Leaf Mantis

A spectacular dead leaf mimic from South American forests with crumpled, leaf-shaped wings. Its brown, withered appearance makes it almost indistinguishable from a curled dead leaf.

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Did You Know?

Even its raptorial legs have flattened extensions that resemble leaf fragments.

Garden Mantis

A small to medium-sized bright green praying mantis commonly found in Australian gardens. It has distinctive blue-purple spots on the inner surfaces of its forelegs, displayed when threatened.

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Did You Know?

The blue spots on its forearms are thought to startle predators and are unique among Australian mantis species.