Chinese Mantis

Description:

Originating from China, they were first introduced to North America around 1895 as a source of pest control. Since then, the species has spread throughout much of southern New England, and the Northeast United States, and ootheca can be purchased from plant nurseries nationwide. This species is often erroneously given the taxonomic name of Tenodera aridifolia sinensis; when first classified, T. sinensis was a subspecies of T. aridifolia but T. sinensis is a species now. The Chinese Mantis looks like a long and slender praying mantis, that are brown and green. It is typically larger than most other praying mantises, adult females are about 8 centimeters in length, and is the largest mantis species in North America. Their color can vary from overall green to brown with a green lateral stripe on the edge of the front wings. In low light the eyes of the mantis appear black, but in daylight appear to be clear, matching the color of the head.

Habitat:

Found in forest and back yards.