Zayante Band-winged Grasshopper vs Mantidfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zayante Band-winged Grasshopper | Mantidfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trimerotropis infantilis | Mantispa styriaca |
| Order | Orthoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Acrididae | Mantispidae |
| Size | 2-3 cm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | United States | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Zayante Band-winged Grasshopper
A small grasshopper found only in sand parkland habitats in Santa Cruz County, California. It is superbly camouflaged against the grey Zayante sand.
Did You Know?
Its entire world range covers less than 600 acres of sandy habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Mantidfly
A remarkable insect with raptorial forelegs strikingly similar to a praying mantis, a textbook example of convergent evolution. Adults ambush small insects from vegetation.
Did You Know?
Mantidfly larvae are parasitoids that enter spider egg sacs and feed on the eggs before pupating inside.