Carolina mantis

Description:

A green praying mantis spotted in a backyard. Adult females are 47 to 60 millimeters(2-2.5 Inches) in length while adult males are usually about 54 millimeters(2.2 Inches) in length. 1st instar nymphs are 7-12 millimeters(.028-.047 Inches) in length. When the nymphs eat more their abdomens get much longer. The Carolina mantis has a dusty brown, gray, or green color useful as camouflage in certain environments. The Carolina mantis' color varies because the nymphs are able to adjust their color to match the environment they are in at the time of molting. They can adjust their color over each molt, if necessary, until they reach their final molt to adulthood. An unusual trait is that its wings only extend three quarters of the way down the abdomen in mature females; this trait is also seen in Iris oratoria, which can be distinguished by the large eyespots on the hind wings (inner-wings) of both adult male and female Iris oratoria. Both adult male and female Stagmomantis carolina have a dark coloured dot on each of their forewings (outer-wings) which may be partially hidden in a brown or dark colour morph individual.