> >
free NE species very large

Mantica horni

(Bates, 1878)

Common name: Horni Tiger Beetle

Tribe
Subtribe
?
Bioregion
Afrotropical
Countries
3
Body length
29 mm
Habitat
open-ground
Activity
nocturnal
Wings
apterous

Distribution

Namibia (Hardap: Maltahöhe, Bethania: Hanam Plateau, Karisburg: Fish River Canyon, Rosyntjebos)

Open Sandy habitatBiome: Open arid
Provinces: Hardap, Bethania, Karisburg, Rosyntjebos

Flight period

I

Active October–April (peak Jan–Nov)

Similar to: Resembles Mantica, Platychile
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII

X-IV (rainfall-triggered, Afrotropical wet season)

Key diagnostic characters

DIAGNOSIS — *Mantica* Kolbe, 1896 Monotypic. Body medium, apterous Manticorini habitus.

Precise distribution

ZA, BW

Confidence profile

geo:M|bio:H|morph:H|pheno:I|elev:I|obs:M

Living Book · World Monograph 2026

Genera and Subgenera of Tiger Beetles

240 genera · 3,715 taxa · 194-character matrix · 12 months free updates

Pre-order €79 →

Taxonomic notes

Original combination: [orig. comb.] congoensis (Bates, 1878) (Bates, 1878)

Originally described as congoensis (Bates, 1878); transferred to Manticora · Verified in Wiesner 2020 checklist

Synonym: Cicindela congoensis (Bates, 1878) [basionym]

Data quality: 75/100  ·  Source: GBIF; Wiesner2020; matrix-morphology  ·  Verified by V. Štrunc · Audited: 2026-05-13

Frequently asked

What is the Congo Giant Tiger Beetle?
Manticora Fabricius, 1792 is Africa's ultimate tiger beetle — the largest members of the family, reaching over 65 mm in body length. All species are flightless, matte black or dark brown, and prowl open arid ground after dark, hunting by sheer force rather than speed. Males bear hypertrophied, asy
Where does the Congo Giant Tiger Beetle live?
It specialises in open ground habitats. distributed across the Afrotropical region. with records from
📷 iNaturalist photo & occurrence data — available to registered users. Create free account →