Mediterranean Mantis

Beautiful Mantis, Malcolm!

The Mediterranean Mantis (Iris oratoria) is often confused with the European Mantis (Mantis religiosa). There are a few differences between the species. Female Mediterranean Mantids have wings that do not reach the end of the abdomen (the males have wings that reach the end of the abdomen). Green phase individuals often have a pinkish edge on the thorax and yellow along the edge of the abdomen. The legs can be solid green or have a bit of pink or reddish coloration nearest to the body. This species also comes in a brown color phase.

One of the easiest ways to distinguish the Mediterranean Mantis from similar looking species is to see the wings (often displayed when threatened). They have distinctive violet-brown eyespots (with some red and yellow). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_orator...

This species is native to Europe, but is found as an introduced species in several countries.

Here are links for both species so you can compare images:
Mantis religiosa. From BugGuide.net (I know it is for North America but the images are plentiful and helpful for comparison): http://bugguide.net/node/view/22947

Iris oratoria: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_orator...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/71486

Please consider adding this beauty to the Marvelous Mantids of the World mission. http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1573...