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Giant Mantid / Common Green Mantid

Sphodromantis gastica

Photo by C.Sydes
Published on Project Noah
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-23.5278, 27.0464

Field Notes

Description:

large green mantid (40 mm long) with diagnostic white spot on each fore wing. I think this is a male, females are longer and fatter. This individual has a totally green abdomen, some individuals may have a pink or purple wash on the side of the abdomen.

Habitat:

attracted to lights.

Semi arid, sub tropical, bushveld area

Notes:

These mantids are leaf mimics and their diet ts almost entirely made up of caterpillars

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Mr. Goldfish
Good video of a Cilnia humeralis male. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSn2Tn9sC24
Mr. Goldfish
Stripe like this on the side of this belly? Sphodromantis from the Congo. http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w440/Happy1892/Sphodromantis%20sp%20%20Blue%20Flash/Adult/SAM_8284.jpg I am wondering if they measured a tiny miomantis. All mantises have something like that. But maybe not all of them have it a strange color compared to their bodies. It expands after they eat. Mantis breathing. You can see the side part. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuU-X506cuQ
C.Sydes
that should say "(body length 55mm) robust and bright green . . . "
C.Sydes
Hello again Mr Goldfish, I was following the brief description from Field Guide to Insects of South Africa (Picker, Griffiths & Weaving, 2004 updated ed. Struik) which states " Identification: Large (body length and bright green, usually with white spot near anterior corner of each fore wing. Sides of abdomen may be mauve and yellow . . " It does not mention any similar looking species; such info is indicated else where in the book for other species. I've previously seen what I took to be a young specimen of this species which had a pink-purple colour on its flanks which sort of faded into green i.e. not a clear cut patch of colour - it was very pretty
Mr. Goldfish
Many mantids have spots like that on there wings. It should not be diagnostic I think. What is the purple wash on the side of there abdomens?
Mr. Goldfish
Are the S. gastrica the only Sphodromantis in your area? 40mm seem way too small. 75mm would make more sense.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Mimetic Animals of the World

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Photographed
PublishedMarch 24, 2013

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