Ulysses Butterfly vs New Zealand Praying Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ulysses Butterfly | New Zealand Praying Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio ulysses | Orthodera novaezealandiae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Papilionidae | Mantidae |
| Size | 10-14 cm wingspan | 35-45 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Ulysses Butterfly
A large swallowtail with electric blue uppersides and cryptic brown undersides. It is an iconic symbol of tropical north Queensland tourism.
Did You Know?
Males are strongly attracted to anything bright blue, including clothing and car paint.
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.