Carolina Mantid (Stagmomantis carolina)
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The Carolina Mantid is one of the largest insects found in the HPG. At 2.5 inches in length, it is a formidable predator, capable of catching large butterflies and other insects. The mantids are often overlooked because their cryptic coloration helps them blend in as they wait to ambush prey. The colors of the Carolina mantid are highly variable, from solid green, to mottled grays and browns.
The male, shown above, has wings that extend the length of its abdomen. It is a bit smaller than the female and capable of flying for short distances, although it almost never does. The females, shown below in both green and brown color phases, have shorter wings and a wider body. They cannot fly.
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Although the female mantid is infamous for eating its mate, this only happens occasionally, especially if the female is undernourished. She produces a large, foamy eggcase, which hardens into a secure shelter for her eggs that must last through the winter.
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class: Insecta / order: Mantodea / family: Mantidae / genus: Stagmomantis / species: carolina
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