Unicorn Mantis vs Twelve-Spotted Skimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Unicorn Mantis Twelve-Spotted Skimmer
Scientific Name Pseudovates peruviana Libellula pulchella
Order Mantodea Odonata
Family Vatidae Libellulidae
Size 55-70mm 65-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions South America North America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Unicorn Mantis

A slender mantis with a horn-like projection on its head and lobed leg extensions. Its green and brown coloring mimics lichen-covered twigs. The horn gives it a distinctive unicorn-like profile.

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Did You Know?

The single horn on its head serves no known function but makes it one of the most distinctive mantis species.

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.

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Did You Know?

Despite the name twelve-spotted, mature males actually have 24 wing markings when the white pruinose spots are included.