Mantis ID

[P. Novak]

My friend and I caught three mantids last weekend and I was wondering if any of you can ID them. THey are only about 4" long. We caught them in Milpitas, California. They were found in long dry grass. They have a yellowish green color to them. Here are some pictures my friend took..

 

[TNeal]

Looks like the European Mantis (Mantis religeosa Sp??) to me.

Tom

 

[P. Novak]

How can it be a European mantis, when they were found here in California? Or is that just a common name they go by?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Definitely European (a common species in the states)
The dead give away is the eyespot in the armpit.

-Brad

 

[P. Novak]

Definitely European (a common species in the states)
The dead give away is the eyespot in the armpit.

-Brad

Thanks guys, is there a specific reason why they are called THe European Mantis?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

The species originates from Southern Europe.
According to my research they were introduced to the States
around 1899 ...arriving accidentally on plants in a nursery shipment.

-Brad

 

[P. Novak]

The species originates from Southern Europe.
According to my research they were introduced to the States
around 1899 ...arriving accidentally on plants in a nursery shipment.

-Brad

Oh ok cool, well that makes sense. Thanks for the info and help!

 

[Blaster]

Yup, that's Mantis religiosa sp.

Most common is M. r. religiosa, in Poland we have M. r. polonica, there's also Mantis religiosa meridionalis... Dunno if any more. Nice find though.

 

[P. Novak]

Yup, that's Mantis religiosa sp.

Most common is M. r. religiosa, in Poland we have M. r. polonica, there's also Mantis religiosa meridionalis... Dunno if any more. Nice find though.

Awesome thanks for the confirmation. Yea where I found them at I would never suspect mantids leaving here. We found 3 of them all within a couple yards of each other. Also, how can you tell between genders?

 

[Blaster]

Hi Paul,
You can differentiate the male form the female by looking at the antennae (did I spell it right?). The male's one are much more longer and thinner, while the female's ones tend to be very short in comparison. The female is also a lot bigger (You can see easily if you have a pair - the male will be the small one with the long antennae, and the female - big one with short antennae). There's is also a way to differentiate them by counting the tiles on their stomach (underside)... But can't remember how much the male has, and how much the female does... That's the only thing I could help. ;-)
Matthew.

 

[P. Novak]

Hi Paul,
You can differentiate the male form the female by looking at the antennae (did I spell it right?). The male's one are much more longer and thinner, while the female's ones tend to be very short in comparison. The female is also a lot bigger (You can see easily if you have a pair - the male will be the small one with the long antennae, and the female - big one with short antennae). There's is also a way to differentiate them by counting the tiles on their stomach (underside)... But can't remember how much the male has, and how much the female does... That's the only thing I could help. ;-)
Matthew.

Thanks alot Matthew! I'll inform my friend and hopefully he'll be able to tell which is which since he's the one that kept them.

 

[Mr. Mordax]

The sexing description given above was dead-on. Males also tend to be a bit more flighty in my experience. The one in the pictures looks male to me.

 

[johnny888]

I am not an expert with Mantids but based on my own experience, abdominal segments of more than five are usually males and females usually have five abdominal segments.Pls correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[P. Novak]

I am not an expert with Mantids but based on my own experience, abdominal segments of more than five are usually males and females usually have five abdominal segments.Pls correct me if I'm wrong.

You're Wrong! .... just kidding I have no clue what I'm talking about with mantids, so you could be right. Thanks for the help!