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Chinese Mantis
Tenodera sinensis
38.2387, -81.9893
Field Notes
Description:
Three distinct body regions: head, thorax (where the legs and wings are attached), abdomen.
Part of the thorax is elongated to create a distinctive 'neck'.
Front legs modified as raptorial graspers with strong spikes for grabbing and holding prey.
Large compound eyes on the head which moves freely around (up to 180°) and three simple eyes between the compound eyes.
Incomplete or simple metamorphosis
Habitat:
Praying mantids are often protectively colored to the plants they live on. This camouflage facilitates their predaceous behavior. Mantids are usually found on plants that have other insects around. Some mantids live in grass. Winged adults may be attracted to black lights in late summer and early fall.
Notes:
Females usually have heavier abdomen and are larger than males. The adult female usually eats the male after or during mating. Mantid's grasping response is incredibly rapid, so that you see it before it catches the insect and when the insect is in its front legs. The motion is barely a blur if it is perceived at all.
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