Yemeni Conehead Mantis vs New Zealand Praying Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yemeni Conehead Mantis New Zealand Praying Mantis
Scientific Name Empusa mendicaria Orthodera novaezealandiae
Order Mantodea Mantodea
Family Empusidae Mantidae
Size 45-60 mm 35-45 mm
Habitat Heathland Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia Oceania (New Zealand)
Conservation Data Deficient Near Threatened

Yemeni Conehead Mantis

A slender conehead mantis from the Arabian Peninsula with a well-developed head process. It inhabits dry wadis and acacia scrublands.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few Empusa species adapted to the extreme aridity of the Arabian Peninsula.

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.

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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.