Spiny Flower Mantis vs Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spiny Flower Mantis Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly
Scientific Name Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii Ischnura pumilio
Order Mantodea Odonata
Family Hymenopodidae Coenagrionidae
Size 30-50 mm 26-31 mm body length
Habitat Underground Wetlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Africa Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spiny Flower Mantis

Small, colorful mantis with spectacular eye-like patterns on its wings displayed in a threat pose. White and green body with pink and yellow highlights. Native to southern Africa.

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Did You Know?

The spiny flower mantis has eye-like spiral patterns on its wings — when threatened, it raises them in a dramatic display that makes it look much larger and more intimidating.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly

One of Europe's smallest damselflies, with a black body and a single blue segment near the tail tip. Females come in a remarkable variety of colour forms.

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Did You Know?

It specialises in colonising new and temporary water bodies that other dragonflies avoid.