The Carolina mantis (''Stagmomantis carolina'') is a species of praying mantis of the subfamily Stagmomantinae.

Sexual cannibalism Sexual cannibalism is when an animal, usually the female, Cannibalism, cannibalizes its mate prior to, during, or after Copulation (zoology), copulation. This trait is observed in many arachnid orders, several insect and crustacean clades, Gastro ...

occurs in roughly one quarter of all intersexual encounters of this species, though specimens of this species will engage in cannibalism regardless of age or gender if the opportunity presents itself. The Carolina mantis is the state

insect Insects (from Latin ') are Hexapoda, hexapod invertebrates of the class (biology), class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (Insect morphology#Head, head, ...

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

. Oothecae can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects.

Description

Stagmomantis carolina Milledgeville Georgia

Adult females are in length while adult males are usually about in length. First

instar An instar (, from the Latin '' īnstar'' 'form, likeness') is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, which occurs between each moult (''ecdysis'') until sexual maturity is reached. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to ...

nymphs are 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 Camouflage is the use of any combination of materials, coloration, or illumination for concealment, either by making animals or objects hard to see, or by disguising them as something else. Examples include the leopard's spotted coat, the b ...

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. File:Carolina Mantis, Gainesville, FL, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 51750963.jpg, Female mating with a half-eaten male File:Stagmomantis carolina ootheca.jpg, Ootheca File:Carolina mantis 1st instar.jpg, 1st instar nymph

Distribution and habitat

''Stagmomantis carolina'' is native to the Americas and can be found from the United States southwards to Brazil.

References

External links

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Stabheuschrecken und Gottesanbeterinnen im Terrarium
* ttps://bugguide.net/node/view/4821 Bugguide.net Species ''Stagmomantis carolina'' - Carolina Mantis* David Edwin Hill: Carolina Mantis (''Stagmomantis carolina'') feeding on tettigonid cricket �
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* {{Taxonbar, from1=Q580291, from2=Q4840076 Fauna of the Southeastern United States Insects described in 1763 Stagmomantinae Mantodea of North America