Carolina mantis
354596
226119001
2008-07-16T22:10:54Z
Coccyx Bloccyx
5807730
wrong type of mantis and as per talk this is not its "mate" they are/were both female mantids
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{{Taxobox
| name = Carolina mantis
| image = Mantis2_6065.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Carolina mantis in praying position
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| classis = [[Insect]]a
| ordo = [[Mantodea]]
| familia = [[Mantidae]]
| genus = ''[[Stagmomantis]]''
| species = '''''S. carolina'''''
| binomial = ''Stagmomantis carolina''
| binomial_authority = Johannson, 1763
}}
The '''Carolina mantis''' ('''''Stagmomantis carolina''''') is a [[praying mantis]] native to the [[Southern United States]] and one of six [[species]] found in [[North America]]. It grows to approximately {{unit length|in|2.5}} in length.
The Carolina mantis has a dusty brown, gray, or green color useful as [[camouflage]] in certain environments. An unusual trait is that its wings only extend three quarters of the way down the abdomen in mature females, seen also in ''[[Iris oratoria]]'', which can be distinguished by the "eyespots" on its wings.
[[Sexual cannibalism]] occurs in roughly one quarter of all intersexual encounters of this species, though specimens of this species will engage in cannibalism regardless of age or gender if the opportunity presents itself.
Carolina mantis [[ootheca]]e can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of [[biological control]] of pest insects. It is the state [[insect]] of [[South Carolina]].
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==References==
*{{cite web |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761570485/Mantis.html |title=Mantis |work=Microsoft Encarta |accessdate=2008-01-24}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/trees/ef418.htm |title=Praying Mantids |author=Gary Watkins and Ric Bessin |work=University of Kentucky College of Agriculture |accessdate=2008-01-24}}
*[http://homepages.fbmev.de/bm886695/andi/tiere.htm Stabheuschrecken und Gottesanbeterinnen im Terrarium]
*[http://home.san.rr.com/mmaxwell/public_html/sexual%20cannibalism.html Sexual cannibalism, mate choice, and sperm competition in praying mantids]
==External links==
* David Edwin Hill: Carolina Mantis (''Stagmomantis carolina'') feeding on tettigonid cricket — [http://www.archive.org/details/ImmatureStagmomantiscarolina Video]
[[Category:Agricultural beneficial insects]]
[[Category:Mantodea]]