Skip to main content

European Dwarf Mantis (Female)

Ameles spallanzania

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

37.2564, -8.09244

Field Notes

Description:

Around 1cm-3cm. Their colour can be green, grey or brown to help them blend into their surroundings. The females cannot fly and only possess small wing vestiges. The males have working wings which are as long as the body and so the overall look is very different between the sexes. Unlike the much larger common Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa) the female of this species does not cannibalise the male whilst mating. Their tiny oothecas (egg cases) are often attached to the base of a rock.
The female European Dwarf Mantis has a very broad abdomen which is invariably curled upwards and their eyes have a pointed appearance.

Habitat:

Lives in low vegetation in warm, dry places.

Notes:

Louva-a-deus-de-spallanzani (Portuguese)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (1)

Photographed
PublishedOctober 14, 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