Wahlberg's Velvet Mantis vs Cave Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wahlberg's Velvet Mantis Cave Weta
Scientific Name Ameles decolor Gymnoplectron acanthocerum
Order Mantodea Orthoptera
Family Mantidae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 20-30mm 30-50 mm body
Habitat Indoors Indoors
Diet Predators Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Wahlberg's Velvet Mantis

A small ground-dwelling mantis from the Mediterranean. Females are wingless and brachypterous while males fly readily.

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Did You Know?

One of the few European mantis species where the female has completely lost the ability to fly.

Cave Weta

A large cave-dwelling weta endemic to New Zealand with extremely long antennae up to three times its body length. Uses its antennae to navigate in complete darkness.

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Did You Know?

Cave wetas have antennae so long they can span a cave entrance like a trip wire — detecting predators and prey in pitch darkness using touch and vibration alone.