Head to head
Giant Asian Mantis vs Chinese Mantis
The giant Asian mantis and Chinese mantis both rank among the larger mantis species found anywhere, but only one of them has spread far beyond its native range, and each has developed a strikingly different taste in unusual prey.
| Giant Asian Mantis | Chinese Mantis | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hierodula membranacea | Tenodera sinensis |
| Native range | South and Southeast Asia | China, Korea, Japan, and neighbouring East Asia |
| Introduced range | Not a documented invasive species | Introduced and widespread across much of the United States |
| Notable prey | Occasionally overpowers small lizards and frogs | Large females can catch hummingbirds |
| Hearing | Not specifically documented | A single hearing organ tuned to detect hunting bats |
| Body colour | Green or brown | Pale green to tan with a green wing stripe |
| Diet | Carnivore, catching insects and occasionally small vertebrates | Carnivore, an ambush predator of insects and occasionally small vertebrates |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Giant Asian Mantis vs Chinese Mantis: common questions
Which is bigger, the giant Asian mantis or the Chinese mantis?
Both rank among the larger mantis species, with the giant Asian mantis a touch bigger overall, though the Chinese mantis is itself the largest mantis species found in North America, where it was accidentally introduced.
Does the giant Asian mantis catch hummingbirds like the Chinese mantis does?
This specific behaviour is documented for the Chinese mantis, whose large females ambush hummingbirds at flowers and feeders, while the giant Asian mantis is instead documented occasionally overpowering small lizards and frogs rather than birds.
How did the Chinese mantis end up in North America when the giant Asian mantis did not?
The Chinese mantis was accidentally introduced to North America around 1896, reportedly on nursery stock near Philadelphia, and has since spread widely, while the giant Asian mantis has no comparable introduction history and remains within its native South and Southeast Asian range.