New Zealand Praying Mantis (Orthodera novaezealandiae) and South African Praying Mantis (Miomantis caffra)
The oldest known fossil remains of a mantis so far found is 87 million years old.
This is the Cretaceous period before the extinction of the dinosaurs.
There are currently over 2,400 species known worldwide.
Only two are found in New Zealand.
Of those only one is native, the other is an invader from South Africa that was first found in Auckland in 1978.
Since that time it has steadily made its way south displacing our native as it goes.
This article is about how to identify the two species.
There are 2 main differences in the appearence.
Body shape:
New Zealand Praying Mantis, Orthodera novaezealandiae | New Zealand Praying Mantis (Orthodera novaezealandiae)The area between the front legs is as wide as the head and tapers gradually back to the waist.
They are usually green very rarely yellow. |
South African Praying Mantis (Miomantis caffra)The body section between the first two pair of legs is narrower than the head
They are green to pale brown and often larger than the NZ mantis. |
South African Praying Mantis, Miomantis caffra
South African Praying Mantis, Miomantis caffra |
Eye patch on the inside of the forelegs:
New Zealand Praying Mantis, Orthodera novaezealandiae | New Zealand Praying Mantis (Orthodera novaezealandiae)The bright blue and purple patch on the inside of its front leg clearly distinguishes it from the South African species. See the image above for a South African. |
Ok so now you know how to tell these two mantids apart.
New Zealand Praying Mantis, Orthodera novaezealandiae
Would you like to know the sex of any mantid you find ?
Just count the abdominal segments.
Female mantis generally have 6 and males 8, it’s a good guide for sexing young mantis that you find.
Here are a few more comparison facts.
| The new Zealand mantis can fly. | The SA mantis female doesn’t fly. The male does fly short distances. |
| The female NZ mantis vary rarely eats the male after copulation. | The SA female mantis often eats it’s partner. |
| Generally the NZ mantis can be found on the top side of a leaf. | The SA mantis usually will lurk on the underside of a leaf. |
| The NZ mantis doesn’t overwinter. | The SA mantis can overwinter in warmer climates. |
South African Praying Mantis, Miomantis caffra
Research
There has been research done into the pheromone attraction of the NZ mantis male to the SA female.
Not good news for the NZ male,
“Holwell and his colleagues at the University of Auckland in New Zealand have been testing which species is most attractive to male native mantises. Given a choice between females of their own or the invasive species in a Y-shaped maze, the males approached invasive springbok mantises more than 80 percent of the time. Mantis females commonly use pheromones to attract males, and the researchers suggest that the New Zealand and South African species may use the same pheromones. Such interspecies attraction has been seen before in other praying mantises.
Next, the team allowed males and females to mingle on a nice leafy branch. Female springbok mantises ate nearly 40 percent of males of their own species, and nearly 70 percent of native New Zealand males. Males that weren’t eaten tried to mate with the females, more evidence of their attraction. The results are reported November 26 in Biology Letters.”
That’s from
https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/gory-details/cannibalistic-mantis-invades-new-zealand-eats-natives
To finish off lets have a look at the differences in the ootheca of the two species.
Like the mantis they are both easily recognisable.
New Zealand Praying Mantis, Orthodera novaezealandiae
A New Zealand Praying Mantis, Orthodera novaezealandiae ootheca.
This has been laid in the lichen Xanthoria parietina | New Zealand Praying Mantis (Orthodera novaezealandiae)The NZ mantis has a neat darker compact ootheca |
South African Praying Mantis (Miomantis caffra)The SA mantis looks like foam when laid, often with a blueish tinge.
The real give away is the SA mantis has drawn out ends on the ooth. |
South African Praying Mantis, Miomantis caffra
South African Praying Mantis, Miomantis caffra |
So where is this all leading to ?
The SA mantis is not widely distributed in the South Island at all, let alone the ChCh region.
They are certainly round the Nelson region.
There are reports of it becoming established at Lyttelton.
Remember they can’t fly so if we can catch them early we can limit their spread.
Currently they are unknown from Travis Wetland.
We do have a population of the NZ mantis here and would like to keep it that way.
If you find any South African mantis there please squish them or if you’re unsure of id let a ranger know or contact the trust via our contact form and let us know where you found them, someone will go and have a look.
FAQs
Only two are found in New Zealand. Of those only one is native, the other is an invader from South Africa that was first found in Auckland in 1978.
How do male praying mantises in New Zealand behave towards invasive South African females compared to their own species? ›
University of Auckland masters student Murray Fea and entomologist Dr Greg Holwell have found that the male New Zealand mantis cannot discern between the female South African and his natural mate, and there is evidence that they even prefer the South African female, the rotters!
What is the ootheca of the New Zealand mantis? ›
The ootheca of the New Zealand mantis has eggs arranged in two rows, quite different from the messier egg mass of Miomantis caffra.
Why are praying mantis important to the environment? ›
A praying mantis is a beneficial insect that helps control populations of other insects that can be pests to crops and gardens. It is also important in food webs, serving as prey for other animals, such as birds and spiders.
How many species of praying mantis are there in NZ? ›
Did you know that there are now two praying mantis species wild in New Zealand? There's our home grown native, Orthodera novaezealandiae, and a larger South African species, Miomantis caffra. Miomantis caffra, was first found in NZ in 1978 by Auckland school boy, Richard Cuthbert, at his home.
What do praying mantis eat in NZ? ›
Praying mantis are renowned for their sexual cannibalism, whereby the females eat males during mating (or even before they get a chance to try!). However, the New Zealand praying mantis is rarely cannibalistic, preferring to snack on flies rather than fellow males.
Are praying mantis ruthless? ›
Mantises are one of the most ferocious predators in the animal kingdom. Able to capture and kill prey much larger than themselves, they have adapted into efficient, ruthless hunters and are valuable in the control of insect pests.
Are female praying mantis more aggressive? ›
Typically, the female is the aggressor, which encourages males to approach the female carefully and cautiously when mating. But Nathan Burke and Gregory Holwell at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, say some male praying mantises go on the attack instead.
Are praying mantis invasive to us? ›
If you see a mantis in your garden unfortunately, more than likely it is a non-native invasive species. Their populations are thriving in comparison to the Carolina mantises who aren't able to compete with these larger more powerful species. Similar coloring and markings make it difficult to tell mantis species apart.
Is A mantis a co*ckroach? ›
The closest relatives of mantises are termites and co*ckroaches (Blattodea), which are all within the superorder Dictyoptera.
The natural lifespan of a praying mantis is about 10 to 12 months. Praying mantises are able to live this long because they have defense mechanisms that help aid in their survival. Their famous forelegs are very powerful for their size and can crush its prey in half.
What is the difference between New Zealand and SA praying mantis? ›
The NZ Praying Mantis (Orthodera novaezealandiae) has a vivid blue and purple patch on the inside of its front leg. The SA Praying Mantis forelegs have 4-6 dark spots on the inner surface of coax. The femur has 2 small, dark, proximal patches. Other differences between the two species.
Is A praying mantis good or bad? ›
Despite being voracious and deadly predators, praying mantids are not entirely beneficial insects. They are just as likely to eat a butterfly or bumblebee as they are a nuisance caterpillar, making them a neutral factor in the garden, if anything.
What can a praying mantis do to a human? ›
Praying mantises are usually quite shy and will avoid contact with people. However, if a praying mantis feels threatened, it may bite. Although their bites are nonvenomous, they might become irritated or itchy.
Where are praying mantis most commonly found? ›
They are generally located in the warmer regions, particularly tropical and subtropical latitudes. Most species live in the tropical rainforest, although others can be found in deserts, grasslands and meadowlands.
Are praying mantis good for the garden NZ? ›
These little dudes are awesome wee powerhouses in the garden consuming aphids , white fly and other pests with such enjoyment .
Where are praying mantis common? ›
Mantis religiosa is a mantis species native to temperate areas of Europe, Asia and northern Africa, but has spread around the world and is now well established across the United States and into Canada. Outside of Europe it is known as the European mantis; in Europe, it is known simply as the preying mantis.
What countries do praying mantis live in? ›
M. r. religiosa is found in Africa, North America (Canada, United States), Europe, and Asia (Nepal), but not in South America or Australia.
