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Project Noah Nature School
Stagmomantis carolina
Adult females are 47 to 60 millimeters in length while adult males are usually about 54 millimeters in length. 1st instar nymphs are 7-12 millimeters 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, seen also in Iris oratoria, which can be distinguished by the large eyespots on its inner wings.
Perched on a poplar leaf on my Fall Mums.
Thank you so much, ForestDragon!
I searched, & found that you are correct!
I will "edit" now!
;)
Hi Sarah! This beautiful creature is actually an adult female Carolina Mantis. I am certain of the species.
They are native to North America (unlinke Mantis religiosa). Great find! She looks ready to lay eggs.
I do the same thing! I will be sure to keep my eyes open. They are amazing creatures!! Haven't seen any recently, they must be hiding :)
:) i also want to call things he or she even though Im unsure.... wonder why we do that... always have to check my info on my spots to make sure I say 'it'. Hope you find some more mantids, they seem to be active at night - at least the ones in our garden are. Amazing creatures.
I had never seen one with this color before. Only green ones here as well.
So, I am not quite sure whether it is a "he" or "she". Just got in the habit of calling it "him". :)
How fantastic! You sure it was a he, the ones we get here in South Africa are completely green, but the built very similar, and I have a feeling you might have a girl here. Then again the females dont usually hang around in one place as males do. Great visitor/house mate to have though. ;)
Thank you, Smith's Zoo!! He lived in a Mum planted at the edge of my porch for an entire season. :)
Spotted on Oct 13, 2011
Submitted on Oct 14, 2011
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