Spalangia Fly Parasite vs Egyptian Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spalangia Fly Parasite Egyptian Mantis
Scientific Name Spalangia cameroni Miomantis paykullii
Order Hymenoptera Mantodea
Family Pteromalidae Mantidae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 40-55 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Scavengers Predators
Regions Worldwide Africa, North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Spalangia Fly Parasite

A small dark wasp that parasitizes fly pupae in manure and decaying organic matter. It is commercially reared for biological control of filth flies on livestock farms.

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Did You Know?

Millions are commercially released on cattle and poultry farms each year to suppress nuisance house flies and stable flies.

Egyptian Mantis

A small to medium green mantis native to Africa that has become established in parts of the southern United States. Females are notorious for always cannibalizing males during mating.

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Did You Know?

Female Egyptian mantises cannibalize the male in nearly 100% of mating attempts, making them one of the most sexually cannibalistic animals known to science.