Miomantis caffra is a species of praying mantis native to Southern Africa. It was discovered to have spread to New Zealand in 1978.

In New Zealand M. caffra is commonly referred to as the Springbok Mantis or the South African praying mantis.

Initially their identity caused problems as the specimens were unlike any other Australian or Pacific species examined. Finally Dr. A. Kaltenbach of the Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, identified the specimens as a common Southern African species, Miomantis caffra.

Although not considered a pest species, it is thought to be displacing the New Zealand native species (Orthodera novaezealandiae) in urban environments of northern New Zealand.

Image from Wikimedia Commons via The Scientist.
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