Skip to main content
Close

Praying Mantis (Mantid)

Mantodea

Photo by wojos508
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

27.7775, -80.5262

Field Notes

Description:

It is widely believed that it kills only 'harmful' insects, but this is NOT true. The mantis does not discriminate between harmful or not.
There are about 1,800 mantis species in the world. Two species found widely in the USA are the imported Chinese mantis 8-13 cm (3-5 inches) long and the native Carolina mantis, about 5 cm (2 inches) long. Scientists disagree about how to classify these insects of the family Mantidae. Some group them with grasshoppers in the order Dictyoptera. Others put them in an order (group) of their own - Mantodea.

Habitat:

Found in the south eastern section of the Sebastian Preserve, close to a nearby black snake.

Cool fact! -It was believed that the praying mantis was deaf until, in 1986, a sensitive and specialized hearing organ was discovered on the insect's abdomen. Studies have shown that mantises can dramatically respond to ultrasonic pulses like those used by echolocating bats. It is the only creature known to have one ear, instead of two.

Species ID Suggestions

Larger Florida Mantis

Stagmomantis floridensis

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment
Photographed
PublishedOctober 7, 2011

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon