Purple-winged mantis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purple-winged mantis |
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| Adult female Tenodera australasiae | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Subfamily: |
Mantinae
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| Tribe: |
Polyspilotini
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| Genus: |
Tenodera
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| Species: |
T. australasiae
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| Binomial name | |
| Tenodera australasiae Leach, 1814
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| Synonyms | |
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The purple-winged mantis, also known as Tenodera australasiae, is a type of praying mantis. You can find this cool insect in Australia, especially in places like Brisbane, Queensland. Both male and female purple-winged mantises can fly.
Contents
Where the Purple-Winged Mantis Lives
This mantis lives all over Australia. However, you won't find it in New Zealand.
What the Purple-Winged Mantis Eats
The purple-winged mantis has a very wide diet. It mainly eats other insects. But sometimes, it will eat much bigger animals. This can include small frogs or lizards!
Even though they can eat big prey, Tenodera australasiae are not super aggressive. They can sometimes eat other mantises, which is called cannibalism.
Other Mantises in the Tenodera Family
The Tenodera group has several different species. Here are a few of them:
- Tenodera aridifolia
- Tenodera sinensis – also known as the Chinese mantis
- Tenodera australasiae – our purple-winged mantis
- Tenodera superstitiosa – found in Africa
Images for kids
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A close-up view of the arm of an adult female Tenodera australasiae
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An adult male Tenodera australasiae
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An adult Tenodera australasiae
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An adult female Tenodera australasiae resting on a hand
