By Kathy Feagan
A reader commented to BCMGA through Facebook after reading my previous article about Mantids. She pointed towards other, much lesser known mantid species. I did a lot of digging and finally found some legitimate information on the species the reader mentioned, as well as even more species! I hope you enjoy learning about even more Praying Mantids!
All mantids lay an egg case, ootheca, and fill it with their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs go through several instars, growing larger and growing and developing wings, until they reach adult stage and are ready to reproduce and continue the cycle.
Texas or Mexican unicorn mantis (Pseudovates chlorophaea) is a species of praying mantis in the family Mantidae. It is native to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. You will find them in the deep south areas of Texas. As nymphs, they are brown striped and have a small horn on the head (which is formed from two pieces that are later fused together). This ‘horn’ is very small in the instars. As the mantids grow, the two pieces of the horn overlap, fuse and form a single large horn. Adults are vivid green and have bright green wings with dark spots. Females form a small, rounded, reddish brown ootheca into which she lays 30-50 eggs. The ootheca is attached to small twigs and branches. The eggs hatch about 6 weeks later. Nymphs go through several instars, developing wings and the horn, then fully adult, ready to mate and reproduce. They are part of the banded Praying Mantis species with brown and yellow bands on their legs and a stick-like body. They camouflage well. They primarily prey on other insects, moths and butterflies. Both adults and nymphs blend into vegetation amazingly well but in different ways. They both look like the twigs or limbs of a small plant. The adult has wings that look almost exactly like a green leaf, while the nymph curls its abdomen to look like dead leaves. They prefer flying insects like butterflies and moths.
Arizona Mantis (Stagmomantis limbata), also known as bordered mantis or New Mexico mantis, are common in the Southern and Southwestern US. This species grows up to 3 inches long and chooses almost fully arid habitats. It can live in dry areas and in scarce vegetation. They also like shrubs, trees and tall forbs and can be found in wooded areas, along streams, roadsides and gardens. They use camouflage and tremendous stillness to ambush their prey. They are usually beige or green with females being more green, with a pronounced blue upper lip and a plump abdomen. Arizona Mantis females have a green dorsal color and yellow ventral coloring. Males are green and brown, slender and have long wings that reach beyond their bodies. The female’s wings are not as long as the male’s wings. Males are drawn to and fly to lights, while females are unable to fly. They are territorial and can be cannibalistic during or after mating.
Mediterranean Mantis (Iris oratoria), are sometimes called Iris Mantids. They are smaller then most introduced species in North America. They only grow to about 2.5 inches. They are native to Europe. These mantids are considered to be an invasive species. They have been found in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. They are pale green or brown with a red to orange spot on the abdomen. They have violet to brown ‘eyespots’ on the hind wings which the mantis uses as a defense against prey. Males have longer wings, reaching beyond the abdomen, while females’ wings are shorter. When threatened, this mantis curls its abdomen and waves its arms showing the eyespots to scare off predators. Females reproduce with a male or by parthenogenesis. They are carnivores who ambush their prey and mainly seek small insects and arthropods (especially spiders). They are also known to cannibalize their mates. They seek plentiful vegetation in which to hunt and live. Their main predators are birds. This European-origin insect is known for its very aggressive behavior, despite being smaller than other mantids in North America.
American Grass Mantis (Thesprotia graminis) are among the smaller species found in North America. They are native to the Southeastern US. This mantis grows to an average length of 1.5 inches. It also has a thin, stick-like body which may often confuse those trying to identify it. They have dark brown or brown-to-gray coloration. The American Grass Mantis uses its slender body as camouflage. They hold their forelegs in front of their body so they look like a blade of grass. Their narrow body allows it to be overlooked when positioned on grass. They mainly eat small flies and moths. They are well-camouflaged in grass and pine debris, often mistaken for a walking stick. Males are smaller and have wings, while females are wingless. Their triangular heads have small black spots above the eyes and the two corners of the top of the head end in upward points (like mini horns). Their posterior is 3-4 times longer than their anterior portion. The female can produce offspring with or without a male (using parthenogenesis). They feed on small insects like flies, small grasshoppers, crickets, spiders and moths. They overwinter as eggs.
Grizzled Mantis (Gonatista grisea) are prevalent in the Southeastern United States and have a very unique appearance. It takes on a mottled gray/green color that resembles tree lichen. Its camouflaging colors make it look distinct from most Praying Mantids which have uniform green to brown coloring. Grizzled Mantises are also some of the smallest types of Praying Mantis in the United States. Only the largest of the species measure up to 1.5 inches, while most measure around 1.2 inches. The green and gray molted colors of the species help it camouflage itself on the bark of hickory and other trees. The males hunt for females using pheromones. The male approaches the female and usually is successful in mating. Females often then eat the male after mating to get extra nutrients to help them produce more eggs. Males have wings that cover their abdomen while females wings are shorter. Their triangular head has large eyes and antennae about half as long as the body. They are often found on trees and foliage where they conceal themselves and hunt arthropods. Males and females look nearly indistinguishable except males are a bit larger.
The Big Country Master Gardener Association presents free education programs every month. There is a program at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Abilene Public Library South Branch in the Mall of Abilene, and the same program is presented again at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Friday of the month at the Abilene Public Library main branch in downtown Abilene.
Our fall plant sale is coming! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 8th! Our online sale will start at 8:00 am and run until noon on Friday, October 10th. All online orders are to be picked up at the Modern Living Mall on the Taylor County Expo Fairgrounds between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10th. Your pickup time is based on the first letter of your last name and will be listed on the website and your receipt. All remaining plants will then be sold at our in-person plant sale on Saturday, October 11th, from 8:00 am until Noon inside the Modern Living Mall on the Taylor County Expo Fairgrounds.
We are here to help you. If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at bcmgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you will also visit our Facebook page, our website at bcmgtx.org, and the BCMGA YouTube channel for all Big Country Master Gardener information, events, and training.
Until next week, happy gardening!