Oak Pinhole Borer vs Libyan Ground Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Oak Pinhole Borer Libyan Ground Mantis
Scientific Name Platypus cylindrus Eremiaphila barbara
Order Coleoptera Mantodea
Family Curculionidae Eremiaphilidae
Size 4-6 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Gardens Deserts & Drylands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Libya, Egypt, Chad
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Oak Pinhole Borer

A tiny ambrosia beetle that bores into oak trees and cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. The only European species of its subfamily. Males guard the tunnel entrance.

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Did You Know?

One of the few farming insects in Europe, cultivating fungal crops inside tunnels bored into oak wood.

Libyan Ground Mantis

A stout desert mantis found across Libya and neighboring Saharan regions. It is nocturnal and shelters under rocks during the hottest parts of the day.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few primarily nocturnal mantis species in the world.