October This issue’s focus:

I- Select species of the southeastStagmomantis carolina (Carolina MantisStagmomantis floridensis Tenodera sinensis (Chinese Mantid)

II- Ootheca reportIII- Mantid enclosures

2011

Select species of the southeast (Carolina Mantis)

(Larger Florida Mantid) (Chinese Mantid)

Ootheca report and observations Mantid enclosures

Select Species of

Stagmomantis carolina

The Stagmomantis carolina is the state insect of South Carolina, which is where I live. not very big, it is quite colorful. They make good pets and are easy to take care of. I keep them in large numbers and in separate cages. I suggest this species for any mantid breeder. Color- Stagmomantis carolina is a very colorful species as can be seen when

Size- Males: 42-55mm (With one freak specimen almost 61mm). 48mm is about average.Females: 42-62mm (Usually well over 50mm). 54mm is about average.

Select Species of the Southeast

the state insect of

where I live. Though it is it is quite colorful. They make good pets

I keep them in large cages. I suggest this species

The Stagmomantis carolinaknown for its many color forms. Some of the I've seen over the years are green, black, silver, grey, blue-green, brown, tan, and even multi

is a very colorful species as can be seen when many specimens are compared to

55mm (With one freak specimen almost 61mm). 48mm is about average. 62mm (Usually well over 50mm). 54mm is about average.

Stagmomantis carolina, or the carolina mantis, is known for its many color forms. Some of the forms I've seen over the years are green, black, silver, grey,

green, brown, tan, and even multi-colored.

many specimens are compared to each other.

be aggressive with each-other. You should feed them small to medium sized grasshopper nymphs/adults, softwinged beetles, moths, lacewings, or flies. Found in- Gardens, street sides, fields, high grass, scrub, and shrubbery.

Stagmomantis floridensis

Color- Not as colorful as the Stagmomantis carolinaVERY colorful. Often grey, brown, or green. Size- Males: 62-74mm. 65mm is about average. Females: 70-90. 74mm is about average.

Behavior- Males: They are great fliers and are known to cto lights at night in numbers. They are very runners also, quite hard to catch after spotting in a bush. You should feed them moths, small grasshopper nymphs, lacewings, flies, or medium crickets. Females: They are flightless, as their wings only cover 3/4 of their abdomen. They caThey will occasionally show their wings for threat display but I rarely see such behavior. The females of this species tend to not

other. You should feed them small to medium sized grasshopper nymphs/adults, softinged beetles, moths, lacewings, or flies.

gh grass, scrub, and shrubbery. All over the east and even in parts of the west.

The Stagmomantis floridensislot like Stagmomantis carolinacolorful. It is a very interesting species.about them. Their thoraxes are a little different than that of Stagmomantis carolina, being proportionately longer and thinner.

Stagmomantis carolina but still rey, brown, or green.

Behavior- Males: Same as Stagmomantis carolinabigger appetite. Females: Same as Stagmomantis carolinabigger appetite.

fliers and are known to come numbers. They are very fast

runners also, quite hard to catch after spotting in a bush. You should feed them moths, small grasshopper nymphs, lacewings, flies, or small-

Females: They are flightless, as their wings only over 3/4 of their abdomen. They can run very fast.

show their wings for threat display but I rarely see such behavior. The females of

other. You should feed them small to medium sized grasshopper nymphs/adults, soft-

All over the east and even in parts of the west.

Stagmomantis floridensis (or Larger Florida Mantid) is a Stagmomantis carolina, just larger and a little less It is a very interesting species. Not much is known

Their thoraxes are a little different than that of , being proportionately longer and

Stagmomantis carolina, except probably a

Stagmomantis carolina, except probably a

Found in- Gardens, street sides, fields, high grass, scrub, and

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Stagmomantis floridensis is on the left of all three photos.difference in size and shape as well as color.

Tenodera sinensis

The Tenodera sinensis is an imported species from Asia. It is known to be the largest species in the US. It among breeders but is also hard to raise from nymph to They are a pretty common mantid in many parts of the US.

Color- Green or brown usually. Sometimes a sort of tan color. Their forewing's front margin is usually a strong which is a very noticeable feature in this species. Size- Males: 85-95mm. 89mm is about average.Females: 90-110mm. 94mm is about average.

fields, high grass, scrub, and shrubbery. Restricted to Florida.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? is on the left of all three photos. Stagmomantis carolina is on

in size and shape as well as color.

is an imported species from Asia. It is known to be the largest species in the US. It is also hard to raise from nymph to adult. If caught as an adult though, they are simple to keep.

They are a pretty common mantid in many parts of the US.

Green or brown usually. Sometimes a sort of tan color. Their forewing's front margin is usually a strong feature in this species.

95mm. 89mm is about average. 110mm. 94mm is about average.

is on the right. Notice the

is an imported species from Asia. It is known to be the largest species in the US. It is popular ough, they are simple to keep.

Green or brown usually. Sometimes a sort of tan color. Their forewing's front margin is usually a strong green color,

Found in- Gardens, street sides, fields, high grass, scrub, and shrubbery. Found all over the east and in some parts of the west. Originally from Asia, where there are many other angustipennis).

Ootheca report and observations

1. Stagmomantis carolina

3. Tenodera angustipennis

Behavior- Males: They can fly but they are quitesometimes crashing into things ground. They eat a pretty good amount of food. Grasshoppers seem to be the best thing for them though most other insects will do.Females: Some of the lighterlittle. Not great though. Their flight isa sort of landing gear for jumping from high places. They eat a LOT of food. Feed them lots of large grasshoppers and other large insects. Cicadas are known to work as feeders but gto catch, naturally.

fields, high grass, scrub, and shrubbery. Found all over the east and in some parts of the west. Originally from Asia, where there are many other Tenodera spp (the only other Tenodera

Ootheca report and observations

Stagmomantis carolina 2. Tenodera sinensis

a angustipennis 4. Mantis religiosa

Males: They can fly but they are quite clumsy, sometimes crashing into things then falling to the ground. They eat a pretty good amount of food. Grasshoppers seem to be the best thing for them though most other insects will do. Females: Some of the lighter-bodied ones can fly a

great though. Their flight is mostly used as a sort of landing gear for jumping from high places. They eat a LOT of food. Feed them lots of large grasshoppers and other large insects. Cicadas are known to work as feeders but grasshoppers are easier

fields, high grass, scrub, and shrubbery. Found all over the east and in some parts of the west. Tenodera in the US is Tenodera

1. Stagmomantis carolina

The Stagmomantis carolina ootheca is usually narrow and about 15-25mm in length. Sometimes a smaller ootheca is deposited though. Those smaller, rounder oothecas often hold less nymphs and take a shorter time to hatch. An average ootheca of the Stagmomantis carolina holds about 30-50 nymphs. 2. Tenodera sinensis

The Tenodera sinensis ootheca is usually large (between 25-45mm) and roughly round in shape. In late summer and early fall, the Tenodera sinensis lays her ootheca, containing around 200 nymphs.

3. Tenodera angustipennis The Tenodera angustipennis ootheca looks a lot different than that of its congener, the Tenodera sinensis. The size is a little smaller (20-40mm) and it is lighter in color.

4. Mantis religiosa The ootheca of Mantis religiosa is quite large. Almost as large as that of the Tenodera sinensis. This species of mantid does better with a diapause in its incubation process. This means that it is best to refrigerate it for a few weeks while it is incubating.

Stagmomantis carolina Found in the wild:

SC1: SC2: SC3: SC4: SC5: SC6:

9/12/11 9/13/11 9/13/11 (mating not confirmed )

9/15/11 9/27/11 9/29/11 10/9/11

9/28/11 MANTID GIVEN AWAY!

10/7/11 10/16/11 10/16/11 DEAD

10/18/11 DEAD Tenodera sinensis Found in the wild:

TS1: TS2: TS3: TS4: TS5: TS6: TS7:

9/14/11 9/15/11 (mating not confirmed)

9/16/11 9/19/11 9/26/11 9/29/11 (mating not confirmed)

10/13/11

DEAD DEAD DEAD 10/9/11 DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD Tenodera angustipennis From Tunkhannock, PA: Late September/Early October, 2011 Mantis religiosa From Tunkhannock, PA: September, 2011 September, 2011

Enclosures

Here is how one can make a simple cage forIt is a medium sized cage and can house many different species). You can add an optional feeding hole to these cages. One way is by cutting a hole and using a piece of foam as a plug. Another is by placing the lid of a soda bottle or pill container over a hole which side of the cage. Make sure to glue the neck of the lid in place so that it doesn’t fall off, making it easy for the mantid to escape. If your mantid doesn’t have good grip I suggest you line the inside with more screen material so that the mantid can climb easily.

What you’ll need: Instructions:

This is what you get in the end:

Here is how one can make a simple cage for their mantids… It is cheap and easy. I call this one “The Bottle Cage”. It is a medium sized cage and can house many different types of mantids from nymph to adult

feeding hole to these cages. One way is by cutting a hole and using a piece of foam as a plug. Another is by placing the lid of a soda bottle or pill container over a hole which

Make sure to glue the neck of the lid in place so that it doesn’t fall off, making it easy for the If your mantid doesn’t have good grip I suggest you line the inside with more screen material so

What you’ll need: Instructions:

So that is how you make a simple bottle cage. It is quick, easy, and cheap. It is recycle your bottles (You could probably do a smaller version with smaller bottles So before you throw away your 2think about how much money you are saving on mantid enclosures. Give it a try!

mantids… It is cheap and easy. I call this one “The Bottle Cage”. from nymph to adult (except for the larger

feeding hole to these cages. One way is by cutting a hole and using a piece of foam as a plug. Another is by placing the lid of a soda bottle or pill container over a hole which can be cut into the

Make sure to glue the neck of the lid in place so that it doesn’t fall off, making it easy for the If your mantid doesn’t have good grip I suggest you line the inside with more screen material so

So that is how you make a simple bottle cage. It is and cheap. It is also a smart way to

recycle your bottles (You could probably do a smaller version with smaller bottles than the 2-liter). So before you throw away your 2-liter bottle just think about how much money you are saving on

Give it a try!

Written by: Ryan Minard Edited by: Ryan Minard Photos taken by: Ryan Minard Illustrations by: Ryan Minard 9/21/11-10/20/11 Duncan, SC Mantid Research Report Issue 1: October 2011 Information gathered from personal observations and from other’s observations. All specimens featured in this issue were taken inand photographed. Specimens collected in: Duncan, SC Greer, SC Winterhaven, FL

Thank you for reading!

Information gathered from personal observations and from

in this issue were taken in to be studied and photographed. Specimens collected in:

Thank you for reading!

Mantid Research Report

Theinsectblog.blogspot.com

Mantid Research Report

Theinsectblog.blogspot.com