Twelve-Spotted Skimmer vs Mediterranean Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Twelve-Spotted Skimmer | Mediterranean Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libellula pulchella | Iris oratoria |
| Order | Odonata | Mantodea |
| Family | Libellulidae | Mantidae |
| Size | 65-75 mm wingspan | 40-60 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Twelve-Spotted Skimmer
A showy dragonfly with three dark spots on each wing, totaling twelve. Mature males develop additional white spots between the dark ones.
Did You Know?
Despite the name twelve-spotted, mature males actually have 24 wing markings when the white pruinose spots are included.
Mediterranean Mantis
A medium-sized mantis with striking eyespots on its hindwings used to startle predators. It is native to the Mediterranean but established in the western United States.
Did You Know?
When threatened, it flashes vivid purple and black eyespots on its hindwings to scare predators.