Springbok Mantis vs African Tiger Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Springbok Mantis African Tiger Beetle
Scientific Name Miomantis caffra Manticora latipennis
Order Mantodea Coleoptera
Family Mantidae Cicindelidae
Size 30-50mm 40-65 mm
Habitat Heathland Deserts & Drylands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Africa, Oceania Southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa, Botswana)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Springbok Mantis

A small bright green mantis native to southern Africa that has become invasive in New Zealand. Females are notorious for always cannibalizing males during mating. Males approach females with extreme caution.

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Did You Know?

Female sexual cannibalism is nearly universal in this species, with males being eaten during mating over 60% of the time.

African Tiger Beetle

The world's largest tiger beetle, a fierce predator with massive jaws. It is flightless and hunts on the ground at night.

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Did You Know?

Despite being flightless, it can sprint across sand at speeds that would be equivalent to a human running over 300 km/h.