False Garden Mantid

Description:

A blue-green mantis about 30mm long. Might have had short wings - could not photograph the dorsal side. On the ventral side and in front of the fore legs were 4 white dots ( seen in Pic #1). On both the grasping fore legs, on the inner side, were a few spines and a slightly elevated dark brown patch. Pic # 1 shows patches on both legs(femur). Pic # 3 shows the spot on the left leg and pic #4, a spot on the right leg.

Habitat:

garden - on a Hakea plant with spiny leaves

Notes:

I have never seen a mantis with spots on the legs - so this was quite an exciting spotting for me... I assume it is either a female mantis or a nymph- she stood on her hind legs and held out both fore legs wide apart in a threatening stance but, at no time could I get a view of the dorsal side of her body. I am unsure if nymphs have leg spots and can exhibit "threatening" behaviours, although these characteristics might ensure their safety in the absence of wings and while they are still developing.