A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Mantis religiosa
The European Mantis is usually 5–7.5 cm (2–3 inches) in length, and has shades of bright green to tan. It can be distinguished easily by a black-ringed spot beneath the fore coxae. It is one of several different insects for which a name used within Europe to refer to only a single insect species (in this case, "praying mantis") has become adopted throughout the globe to refer to the larger group of insects to which that one species belongs
I found it on house's wall. Originating in southern Europe, the European Mantis was introduced to North America in 1899 on a shipment of nursery plants. Now they are found all over the north-eastern United States and Canada to the Pacific Northwest.
4 Comments
I understand .. I think that, although the wings were small, it was able to fly away because I was distracted to look at the camera and, a second later, it was gone.. Thank you ForestDragon!
You're welcome! You can tell this one is a nymph (not fully grown) because the wings are not fully formed yet. The wings can be seen in all of your images but they are quite small and just above the back four legs.
Thank you ForestDragon! Can I ask you on what you understand that it's a nymph?
I believe you are correct. This looks like a European Mantis nymph. The color, shape and markings are consistent. Nice series.