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Sphodromantis gastica
large green mantid (40 mm long) with diagnostic white spot on each fore wing. I think this is a male, females are longer and fatter. This individual has a totally green abdomen, some individuals may have a pink or purple wash on the side of the abdomen.
attracted to lights. Semi arid, sub tropical, bushveld area
These mantids are leaf mimics and their diet ts almost entirely made up of caterpillars
Spotted on Mar 6, 2013
Submitted on Mar 24, 2013
7 Comments
Good video of a Cilnia humeralis male.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSn2Tn9sC...
Stripe like this on the side of this belly? Sphodromantis from the Congo.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w440...
I am wondering if they measured a tiny miomantis. All mantises have something like that. But maybe not all of them have it a strange color compared to their bodies. It expands after they eat.
Mantis breathing. You can see the side part.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuU-X506c...
Still seems too small.
that should say "(body length 55mm) robust and bright green . . . "
Hello again Mr Goldfish, I was following the brief description from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa (Picker, Griffiths & Weaving, 2004 updated ed. Struik) which states " Identification: Large (body length and bright green, usually with white spot near anterior corner of each fore wing. Sides of abdomen may be mauve and yellow . . " It does not mention any similar looking species; such info is indicated else where in the book for other species.
I've previously seen what I took to be a young specimen of this species which had a pink-purple colour on its flanks which sort of faded into green i.e. not a clear cut patch of colour - it was very pretty
Many mantids have spots like that on there wings. It should not be diagnostic I think. What is the purple wash on the side of there abdomens?
Are the S. gastrica the only Sphodromantis in your area? 40mm seem way too small. 75mm would make more sense.