Carolina mantis
Overview
The Carolina mantis is a praying mantis native to the Southern United States
and one of six species
found in North America
. It grows to approximately in length.
The Carolina mantis has a dusty brown, gray, or green color useful as camouflage
in certain environments. An unusual trait is that its wings only extend three quarters of the way down the abdomen in mature females, seen also in Iris oratoria
, which can be distinguished by the large eyespots
on its inner wings.
Sexual cannibalism
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.
Carolina mantis ootheca
e can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects.
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
and one of six species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
found in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. It grows to approximately in length.
The Carolina mantis has a dusty brown, gray, or green color useful as camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
in certain environments. An unusual trait is that its wings only extend three quarters of the way down the abdomen in mature females, seen also in Iris oratoria
Iris oratoria
Iris oratoria, also known by the common name Mediterranean Mantis or Iris mantis, is a very widespread species of praying mantis native to Europe and now found as an introduced species in the Middle East, Western Asia and the United States.-Appearance:I...
, which can be distinguished by the large eyespots
Eyespot (mimicry)
An eyespot is an eye-like marking. They are found on butterflies, reptiles, birds and fish. In members of the Felidae family , the white circular markings on the backs of the ears are termed ocelli, and they are functionally similar to eyespots in other animals.Eyespots may be a form of...
on its inner wings.
Sexual cannibalism
Sexual cannibalism
Sexual cannibalism is a special case of cannibalism in which a female organism kills and consumes a male of the same species before, during, or after copulation. On rare occasions, these roles are reversed.-Prevalence:...
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.
Carolina mantis ootheca
Ootheca
An ootheca is a type of egg mass made by any member of a variety of species .The word is a latinized combination of oo-, meaning "egg", from the Greek word ōon , and theca, meaning a "cover" or "container", from the Greek theke...
e can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects.
Unanswered Questions
