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Mantid

Stagmomantis californica

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33.135, -117.034

Field Notes

Description:

Gorgeous Mantid nymph with orange/red eyes with creme stripes. The body is dark brown with light stripes all over. When it becomes an adult, the eyes will be plain green to brown but not this pretty color/pattern.

Habitat:

Sunflower in the backyard garden.

Reference Links:

Species Stagmomantis californica - California Mantis - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (13)
Mr. Goldfish
Yes, one of my friends has bred S. californica.
CindyBinghamKeiser
This may be but for now, Bug Guide won't move it past genus. Do you have documentation showing the distinct color difference between the immatures of species?
Mr. Goldfish
CindyBinghamKeiser do you find S. californica often?
Mr. Goldfish
1st instar of Stagmomantis californica have these colors and patterns. 1st instar S. limbata are green. 1st instar S. carolina are kind of brownish.
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thank you Karen, Rieko and Noel! It was narrowed down to the genus but like João said, they're nearly impossible to ID at such a young age.
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thank you Leuba and João. The eyes are what surprised me. I've never seen a mantid in my area with eyes like this. They've all had plain green eyes, both nymph and adult.
João Burini
It is pretty, but impossible to get to species from such a small nymph, they change a lot when growing and could even possibly look as a plain green when adult :)

Spotted for Missions

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Southern California Wildlife
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Marvelous Mantids of the World
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2013 Best Wildlife Photo
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The Bug Chicks Sofa Safari

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Photographed
PublishedJune 10, 2013

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