Latest Thoughts
Carolina mantis
The Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) is the state insect of South Carolina. It is also called a praying mantis or mantid. It is but one of many species of Mantodea (genus Stagomantis) and the smallest of the three types which are native to North America. It can measure up to 7.6 cm or about 3 inches in length. In the South it is commonly referred to as a rearhorse or mulekiller.
The Carolina Mantis has a dusty brown to gray color which is used to camouflage itself with the pine forests and sand hills of the Southeastern part of the United States. A distinguishing characteristic is that its wings only extend three quarters of the way down the abdomen.
It is sometimes kept as a pet, as a large, easily cultured insect. It also, unlike most insects, will turn its head to watch a person or an insect that it is attempting to catch.
It is a voracious predator, capturing many insects in the course of its life, and occasionally it will capture and eat an anole (a type of lizard) or even a hummingbird.
Carolina mantis egg cases (called an ootheca singularly) can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects.
RSS Feeds