Sycamore Seed Bug vs African Bark Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sycamore Seed Bug African Bark Mantis
Scientific Name Belonochilus numenius Tarachodes afzelii
Order Hemiptera Mantodea
Family Lygaeidae Eremiaphilidae
Size 5-7 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Seed Feeders Predators
Regions North America, Europe West Africa, Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sycamore Seed Bug

A seed bug native to North America that feeds exclusively on sycamore seeds. It has recently invaded Europe where it spread rapidly.

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Did You Know?

This species was first detected in Europe in 2008 and has since spread across the continent in less than a decade.

African Bark Mantis

A small flat mantis with mottled grey-brown coloring perfectly matching tree bark. It presses its body flat against trunks to hunt.

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Did You Know?

They run sideways across bark surfaces with remarkable speed, a behavior unique among mantises.