Twenty-Two Spot Ladybird vs New Zealand Praying Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Twenty-Two Spot Ladybird | New Zealand Praying Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata | Orthodera novaezealandiae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Coccinellidae | Mantidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 35-45 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Twenty-Two Spot Ladybird
A tiny bright yellow ladybird with exactly 22 black spots, widespread across Europe. Unlike most ladybirds, it feeds on mildew rather than insects.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few ladybirds that is entirely mycophagous, feeding exclusively on fungal growth.
New Zealand Praying Mantis
New Zealand's only native praying mantis, a small bright green species found throughout the country. It is now threatened by competition from the larger introduced South African mantis. Females are larger than males and occasionally cannibalize them after mating.
Did You Know?
The native New Zealand mantis is being outcompeted by the introduced South African mantis, which arrived around 1978 and is now more common in many areas.