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European mantis

Mantis religiosa

Photo by HemaShah
Published on Project Noah
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37.978, -122.031

Field Notes

Habitat:

seen on a flower on Mt Diablo.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
HemaShah
Brown color morph of European Mantis. http://www.keepinginsects.com/praying-mantis/species/european-mantis/
HemaShah
forest, i do have some different angles which i will upload soon. If you look carefully in this picture you can seee one black spot at least on it's arm nearer the elbow..
ForestDragon
European can also come in solid brown or tan. This does not look like a Stagmomantis species to me. The body shape and coloration is different. Mediterraneans come in brown and green forms as well. http://bugguide.net/node/view/71486 Jemma, did you happen to get any other views? European has a distinctive spot on the inside of the front legs near the "armpit" area, like these: http://bugguide.net/node/view/323166 http://bugguide.net/node/view/803398/bgimage Some more brown Europeans: http://bugguide.net/node/view/842713/bgimage http://bugguide.net/node/view/687010/bgimage I strongly suspect yours is a European Mantis but I can't say for 100%. Hope this helps.
Jellis
says Chinese has a lateral green line on wings. The European is mostly green and Mediterranean has purplish spots on sides of wings when folded.
Jellis
If you believe to be a native there are three. Two in southern California and this. California Mantis Stagmomantis californica
HemaShah
Thanks Jellis. Trying to figure out the species. http://www.ehow.com/info_8492350_types-praying-mantis-northern-california.html This one was found totally in the wild.
Photographed
PublishedOctober 9, 2013

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