White Plume Moth vs Egyptian Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White Plume Moth Egyptian Mantis
Scientific Name Pterophorus pentadactyla Miomantis paykullii
Order Lepidoptera Mantodea
Family Pterophoridae Mantidae
Size 25-30 mm wingspan 40-55 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Europe Africa, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

White Plume Moth

A delicate pure white moth with deeply divided wings that split into feather-like plumes. Often seen resting on walls at night with wings held out like a letter T. Caterpillars feed on hedge bindweed.

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Did You Know?

Its wings are divided into five feather-like plumes on each side, giving it one of the most unusual wing forms of any moth.

Egyptian Mantis

A small to medium green mantis native to Africa that has become established in parts of the southern United States. Females are notorious for always cannibalizing males during mating.

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Did You Know?

Female Egyptian mantises cannibalize the male in nearly 100% of mating attempts, making them one of the most sexually cannibalistic animals known to science.