Is this a native mantis - Ask Extension
is this a native mantis or asain?
Knowledgebase
Is this a native mantis #719210
Asked August 30, 2020, 6:02 PM EDT
is this a native mantis or asain?
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
This might be a female Carolina Mantis, but we cannot see enough detail clearly; it looks as if its wings have matured and are shorter than its body, which is one of the prime indicators of this native species.
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/6393
There are four mantid species that occur in MD - one native and three non-native. Distinguishing between them can be challenging especially when immature, but one key ID feature is the characteristics of the spot between their forelegs that we cannot see here. One ID tip is given in one of the species descriptions on the individual pages on this site:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewChecklist.php?family=Mantidae
Here is a helpful comparison from Maryland Biodiversity Project on their Facebook page from about two years ago:
"Four species of Praying Mantis call Maryland home, but only one of these species is native. Today we are going to give you the keys to identify the four species of praying mantis that are found in our state.
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/6393
There are four mantid species that occur in MD - one native and three non-native. Distinguishing between them can be challenging especially when immature, but one key ID feature is the characteristics of the spot between their forelegs that we cannot see here. One ID tip is given in one of the species descriptions on the individual pages on this site:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewChecklist.php?family=Mantidae
Here is a helpful comparison from Maryland Biodiversity Project on their Facebook page from about two years ago:
"Four species of Praying Mantis call Maryland home, but only one of these species is native. Today we are going to give you the keys to identify the four species of praying mantis that are found in our state.
The Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) is our only native mantis. The female Carolina Mantis is typically a little shorter, the abdomen is much more squat, and the wings are noticeably shorter than Maryland's other mantis species. The wings of Carolina Mantis are also usually more blotchy in color and typically have two black dots on the forewings. Green individuals can be easily confused with other green mantis species (especially males, which tend to be longer and more narrow-winged than the females) so look for those black dots on the wings. The Carolina Mantis is in decline over much of it's native habitats. It is thought that the non-native mantis species are outcompeting our native mantid.
The non-native Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) is the most common mantis species in Maryland. They are long and skinny and can be found statewide. The ultra common Chinese Mantis looks very similar to the Narrow-winged Mantis and is best separated by looking at the area between the forelegs. The Chinese Mantis has a yellow blotch in between the forelegs while the Narrow-winged Mantis has a bright orange blotch in the same area.
The Narrow-winged Mantis (Tenodera angustipennis), also non-native, is more uncommon than the Chinese Mantis. The best way to separate the two species is to look at the coloration of the small area between the forelegs. Narrow-winged Mantis has bright orange coloration in this area while the Chinese Mantis coloration is bright yellow.
The European Mantis (Mantis religiosa) might be the rarest mantis species in Maryland. Harford County is the only county where we have records for this non-native mantis. The best way to differentiate the European Mantis from Maryland's other mantis species is by looking at the inside of the forelegs. All European Mantis's have a black dot with a white center on the inside of the forelegs."
Miri
Miri
